Gratitude
Have you ever had a moment of conviction? One of those moments when you stop and say. Oh my. Jesus you are here. You are right. I have been feeling that the last 2 weeks since my bible study started a new book study.
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Y'all I have been told. That is the moment I had. Jesus has given me so much more than 1,000 gifts. I have spent too much time saying, "poor me" I was discussing this with a good friend earlier today. And she and I both were chatting about how easy it is to find yourself there...there in that place of "poor me" and I had definitely had some of those moments recently. The "can't want to" homesick, I want to vacation on the beach and move home to Kansas right now moments...and then I started this study.
After slapping me in the face with the assignment to start a gratitude journal the Lord moved forward in softening my heart and opening my eyes. Suddenly my rut of Debbie downer moments turned into "I am so blessed" I have so much to be thankful for...there is no poor me.
Where this study has taken me so far... How did I get so lucky!? Why me!? Thank you. I am so thankful.
I strongly suggest starting a gratitude journal. Really...go get on that now. It is an eye opening thing...I am so thankful for this study and the women in the study with me.
I am here at this time for a reason. Every season has a reason. I like that saying... I am happy. And it is okay to be happy. I think sometimes I carry guilt about being happy...like I should only be homesick. I love so much that my husband wants us to be here with him. So many of his co-workers don't make the choice to bring their families and Scott can't bear to leave us behind. I love that and I love him.
I love our crazy wonderful life. It is crazy and it is a wild ride but it is a blessed ride and I am loving every minute of it. Especially this week...because all my babies are home!! Breaks are my VERY favorite!!! :)
Scott's job that he is here with his company working on is way behind...totally out of there control as to the delays but never the less way behind. We got somewhat "official" word that he will not be done here anytime soon....probably not until next summer at the earliest. Hearing that kind of news usually gets me in a serious rut...a "I want my mom, NOW!" kind of rut.... but I feel like my heart is in a new place...a place of gratitude.
So, maybe our family adventure in Canada may be a little longer than we first anticipated...but I am going to enjoy the ride. I am going to embrace the moments we have while our kids are all under our roof. I make it my job to teach my kids to always find the joy in everything. To have fun with our travels...they rarely see the struggles I sometimes have with it. I think that what I am teaching my children my heavenly father is trying to teach me. Enjoy where you are, Sarah. See my blessings. Choose joy and share joy.
As I look through all these picture phone moments from the last few months...my heart swells. We have so much love in our home. So much joy. CHAOS and so much fun. I am blessed.
There is snow in the forecast every single day for the next week. I am savoring the sun that comes through the window and warms our faces as the cold yet beautiful snow falls outside. I am looking forward to our summer trip home. I am looking forward to time with family and friends pool side and of course making s'mores but for now I am loving the snow. Loving the cold. Loving the ride.
P.S. This guy was just shy of 20 pounds at his check up yesterday!! He is pure joy!!!!! :)
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
