Learning to live for HIS glory

 It's been a rainy week here,  Yet even in that there are things to be thankful for. Everything is turning a richer shade of green, And I know that the plants in my gardens are soaking up the long drink! Today I am also counting these blessings: Time to play games with my family, Boys playing nicely together, A nap time transition going smoother than expected, Music, A piano to play, A dry house, The power coming back on, Amazing displays of God's power in the thunderstorms, Provision for our daily needs, Sleep, Sourdough, A house with room for the boys to run! God has blessed us in many ways, Yet most of all in His Son. I'm thankful for Jesus and His sacrifice to give me life.

Today I am thankful for these things (and more) the Lord has provided: Sunshine. Sleep. Wise counsel. Food. Water. My home. The health to care for my boys. Text messages sharing God's truth. That we've made it to 31 weeks. That spring allergies only last for a season. Our beautiful dogwood tree. Tea. Date nights. Our church family. Memorization. God's Word. Christ- His Perfection, His Death, His Resurrection. The hope of life eternal.  Spring. Plants popping up from seed in the garden. The promise of vegetables and flowers. Beauty.

 Hello from snowy Missouri!   Today I'm thankful for snow, For my big picture windows,  And a warm house to live in! I love just sitting here watching the snow fall,  It's pure whiteness is a beautiful reminder of what Jesus has done. Thankful for how He can take our mess and make it clean. I'm thankful for music, For to-do lists,  For naps on teething days. I'm thankful for a job Carl can work from home, Especially on days the roads make me nervous. Thankful for baby flutters, For health and the gift of life. Thankful for the Word of God, For encouragement to store it in my heart, And for the way the Spirit of God uses it to encourage and challenge me. He is good. He does good. All His works are done in faithfulness. May His name be praised!

       Today I'm thankful for the peace that accompanies nap time, and the rest God has designed to help heal our bodies.  I'm thankful for better attitudes, mine and kids, for Christ's work in our hearts, for answered prayer.  Music playing in the background is making me smile.  And a warm house is keeping me from being chilled to the bone.  I'm thankful for my big windows that let me see the sky, for evergreen trees, and white lights.  I'm thankful for stories, chapter books, lessons learned, snuggles while reading, and the joy of sharing the gift of words with my children.  Many are the gifts the Lord has given, and I'm thankful He's walking with us through each new day.  

 It's Thursday! The sun is shining, the boys are resting? (napping may be mostly a thing of the past for one of them)... and I'm taking a few moments to write and focus on my blessings. Today I am thankful for: Music with truth filled words, Especially when I start to hear those words spilling from my toddler's lips. Clean towels, Answers to prayer, The access we have to God in prayer, Hudson's reminders to pray. The boys starting to enjoy wrestling each other. Carl, And getting to be on his team in life and parenting. Lights on my railing, the Light of the world, His light in my heart, and for my path through His Word... Most of all though,  The gift of His salvation, And the amazing truth that He chose us,  Chose this plan of redemption before the world was made. What love!

It's been awhile.  But on Carl and I's most recent planning day, I decided I should try to start writing these again! That decision came from reading Psalm 145 and thinking about how many times the passage referred to speaking of what God has done.  I want to faithfully do that...in my home, in my family, with my friends, to the world.  This is just a little piece of that.   So here we go ;)  5 minutes of things I'm thankful to the Lord for:  Life. Grace. A bluebird flying through the air. Focus...I've seen the Lord grow my ability to focus on what is right in front of me in this season, and I am grateful! Mornings. JJ Heller. My sweet boys. Conversations with Hudson that remind me of how God is working. I love how he randomly reminds me: "Mommy, God is growing us.  We're going to be so tall!" Makes me laugh, maybe he doesn't quite get it yet, but he's getting there. "God is working" "Can we pray for...?" "Father God, thank...

It's Thursday, friends, And today I am thankful for... Sweet weather to enjoy walks with friends, Clean sheets, The strength and tools to do laundry, A chance to sew, Good books, Water, Time to spend with my sweet son and husband, Baby's little movements, Blue sky, God's Word, Small group last night, Music Time Prayer ... And so much more.

I'm memorizing parts of Psalm 56 with a friend right now, And the last two verses go: "Your vows are binding upon me, O God;  I will render thank offerings to You. For You have delivered my soul from death,  Indeed my feet from stumbling,  So that I may walk before God  In the light of the living" (vs. 12-13 NASB). God deserves praise and thanksgiving, And He calls us to it. I think He must know our souls need it. It's a reminder of our dependence. And hasn't much of life been that recently? A reminder that we are not in control... As we so often like to think we are? I am thankful. Thankful to be reminded to more daily walk  In dependence on the Lord. The struggles grow us, friends! And while I'm looking forward to the day Grocery shopping will be more enjoyable than stressful again, I'm thankful for grocery stores, And I'm thankful for God's provision  of so much more than what we need to ea...

Good afternoon friends! What are you thankful for today? In a time when routine seems thrown out the window, And things are changing often and quickly, I've found thanksgiving... particularly as it centers on who God is, to be an anchor for my soul. Today I'm praising God for: Being My Rock My Refuge (Psalm 62:7) Being a place we can dwell, A fortress we can trust in (Psalm 91:1-2) His Word,  Which tells us these things about who He is! Words of truth in songs to sing. Books, Naps, Beautiful sunshine, Seeds popping through the ground, The reminder of new life they are. Extra time with Carl, Hudson's new words. :) Prayer Grace "On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah." ~Psalms 62:7-8

It's uncertain times we're living in. And they make me all the more thankful for the certainty of God.   That He is. That He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Heb. 11:6) That He loves the world. Enough He sent His son to die. That all who believe in Him will not perish. Instead they'll have eternal life. (John 3:16) That He is our refuge. Our strength. Our VERY present help in trouble.  And so we don't need to fear when the earth changes... (Psalm 46) And it sure is changing isn't it? Daily sometimes it seems,  Or faster. It reminds me of the gift of a God in whom there is no change. No shifting shadow.  (James 1:17) And that is where my hope lies. All that is true of Him is true all the time. Even now. Especially now. Praise Him! Don't think I've got it all together, I still have my moments (and days) of worry and fear! But these truths are what I just keep coming back to again and again. They are w...

Today I've been thinking about how thankful I am for the Word of God.   Psalm 19: 7-11 says:  "The law of the Lord is perfect,     reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure,     making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right,     rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure,     enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean,     enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true,     and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold,     even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey     and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned;     in keeping them there is great reward" (ESV). And that's just one section of verses on the Word of God. There are so many more... Talking about how it is profitable for  Doctrine, reproof, correction, training in ri...

What are you thankful for today? I've been reminded recently of the power of thanksgiving.  It's absolutely necessary in the life of a follower of Christ! Not only is it commanded, But it's powerful for fixing our gaze where it needs to be- On Christ and His blessing of us- No matter what our circumstances look like. Today I'm taking these moments to praise God for: A roof over my head Sweet Hudson's giggles and smiles A refreshing walk with a dear friend God's Word- A lamp to my feet and a light to my path 10 sealed jars of pickles (plus two we'll just have to eat up quickly!) Books Truth Friends and family that pray. Our church Bible study with friends The privilege of looking at the Word of God together And talking over gospel themes That the gospel is, Christ is alive, And He lived and died perfectly, To save me from my very imperfect existence! Life everlasting, That my name is written...

It's been awhile! Life has been full and busy, But thanksgiving is still so, so important. I'm thankful it gets talked about around our dinner table,  Even if the words don't make it on this blog! But for multiple reasons, I'm wanting to get back in the habit of these Thursday posts. Funny how taking 5 minutes out of our day to write our thanks Can feel so difficult to remember to do, Isn't it? But it's worth it! I know. Because the One I give the praise to is worth it! Would you join me on this journey of praise?  Today I'm praising God for: Prayer: The privilege and blessing of it. His beautiful creation, And the chance to take a walk and enjoy it! Friends to walk with. Gardening, A little buddy who loves stroller rides. All the fun of watching Hudson's new discoveries. (He loves playing in the bathtub-without water!) Laughter Simple joys The team that is working with us to see Perspectives happen ...

Hello friends! Happy Thursday :) Today I am thankful for: The chance to sit down and write this, The Christmas season, And it's reminder of the great love of our Savior. I'm marveling especially this year that God stepped down into His creation, And became a baby. The One who holds the universe together, Humbled Himself as an infant in need of constant care. All that one day He could go to the cross, And die a horrific death to take the punishment for the sins of the world. I'm thankful that the gospel is indeed a TRUE story, And that Christ offers Himself to all of us as Immanuel. All we must do is believe God raised Him from the dead, And confess Him as Lord. I'm thankful He is such a good Lord. Faithful to show us where we stray, Yet loving and liking us despite our sin. He is SO good. I'm thankful for Hudson, For the gift of a son. For sweet snuggles as he falls off to sleep, For the beginnings of little smi...

Happy Thursday, friends!  The last two weeks have been a crazy blur As we've welcomed little Hudson Luke into our family. He is such a precious gift from God, And we are thankful! As I think back over those weeks these are some of the things that stand out As blessings to praise the Lord for: A quick and safe home delivery, An awesome birth team, Who were consistently pointing me to Jesus, And praying as we worked together  To bring this little guy into the world. A healthy screaming baby... We had no doubt he was alive and well  In those first few moments after delivery! Answered prayer.  There was just so much of that surrounding the birth of our son. It encourages my heart as I begin this new leg of life's adventure. Carl. He is such a good daddy to Hudson and husband to me! I'm grateful we get to walk this journey of life together, Grateful for his patience, His love, And his encouragement! An extreme...

It's Thursday, friends! And today I'm thankful for: Rest, Friends, Energy to serve, Little baby snuggles, (not mine, but soon!) Good reports from the Dr. Water, Flowers, A home, Modern technology for communication, Prayer, Good books, (And time tor read them) Not having to be on bed rest, A washing machine, And dryer, Cooler weather on the way, Grace.

Happy Thursday Friends! What are you thankful for today? I'm praising the Lord for.... Cozy rainy days, And a house to keep me dry. Health for me and baby, We had a little scare over the weekend,  And had to go to the hospital for some testing, But are so thankful that all the test results came back fine And baby is still alive and kicking! (literally kicking.) The support of our family and church family, Praying for us, Being with us, Bringing us a meal, during the craziness of all that. My husband is home! He had a work trip last week, And I am so glad to have him back this week! Candles, Music, Friends, Laughter, Sleep, Yarn, And the ability to make things for my child.

Happy Thursday all! Today as I count my blessings, These are the things I'm praising God for: Two months till Little Buddy is due, A good report from my midwife. Two years of marriage to my sweetheart, Time to spend together on a date tonight! Too many gifts to count, The generosity of others as we prepare to welcome our child. Also.... Music, Books, Time to read, Sleep, Yarn creations, Laundry machines, A Kitchen to cook in, A Dining Room to eat in, A Living Room to sit in, A Library/Nursery to get ready for baby in, A Bedroom to sleep in, A Garden to grow things in. God's Word, His Goodness, His Faithfulness, His Mercy, His Teaching, His Love. His Justice met at the cross.

Hello friends!   It's a tired sort of day, But I'm purposing to sit down and take 5 minutes for thanksgiving. That doesn't always happen, But it's a good reminder when it does! Today I'm praising the Lord for- Naps :) I've discovered their beauty as a pregnant lady ;) Baby clothes, His provision for us of SO much--more than we need. Life...I continue to be reminded how fragile and precious it is. And because of that I'm thankful for hope beyond this life. Water, Salads, Iron supplements-even if they do taste ick! Sweet friends and mentors, Morning walks, Evening walks, The deer we often get to see along Acorn trail. A chance to see family this weekend, Even if it will be short and crazy! Planes that make the 1,000 miles faster. My Great God, Of Highest Heaven, Who occupies my lowly heart.

The last few weeks have reminded me of the brevity of life. Unexpected losses, Bad accidents, Sometimes it just hits you that this life is short, And the number of our days is completely unknown to us. How thankful I am that my hope, My security, My joy, DON'T rest in this life alone. Instead I live with hope of eternity, Because of Christ, My substitute. It's also been a week that's reminded me of how very much I need Him. I am a flawed, sinful, messed up person. That is true. But the greater truth is that CHRIST isn't. He is perfect in every way, And by His life, horrible death, and resurrection, He has given me His righteousness. So when I fail, I can rest on His unchanging grace. That is true comfort. And that is true LIFE. To know Him. And to press on to know Him more. How thankful I am for these truths,  And also that He does not hide Himself from us. He is the faithful, loving, "Hound of Heaven...