Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17
I love this season where we all make it a priority to focus on our blessings and give thanks for what God has done for us. I want that attitude to be in my heart all year; not just during November! Giving thanks is so important for my mind and heart. If I don’t focus on my blessings, I become blinded by what I don’t have, and I find myself talking to God like my 3-yr-old sometimes talks to me: “I want… I need… Give me…Please, please, please!” But what about the abundance I already have?
There are those big defining moments in my life when I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving and can’t help but praise Him – when I walked down the aisle towards Anderson on our wedding day, when Kingston was born and Anderson held him up close to my face, so I could see his chubby little nose, when the doctor told me earlier this year that there was NO CHANGE in my brain tumor, when Anderson lost his job and God turned around and blew our minds with the way he provided for us. I can’t help but give thanks in those moments.
But what about “the everyday and the mundane” moments? So often I find myself praying hard for things I want for my family. But I sometimes forget to spend more than a few moments saying thank you for what we already have. The everyday blessings that God abundantly pours out on my life. Things like:
– Kingston’s excitement at his schools’ Open House last night. I prayed a lot about where/when to send him to preschool, and God directed us to a school that is a perfect fit for our little guy. He was so excited to show us around his class and tell us all about what he’s learning. My heart was so thankful. Thank you God for clear direction and guidance.
– Sitting in a restaurant last week and looking at Anderson’s face when out of no where “At Last” started playing. His eyes welled up with tears. And I knew he was thinking about our wedding. Thank you God for a man who loves me!
– Putting gas in my car (or even better, getting in my car and realizing Anderson already did it for me) and not having to worry about having the money to pay for it. Thank you God for providing for all of our needs (and a lot of our wants.)
– Getting a text from my good friend out of the blue that said she wanted to have a relationship with God. Thank you God for new beginnings!
– Having the most supportive family anyone could ever ask for. Parents who pray for me daily and encourage me every time I talk to them. And living close enough to them that my Mom can come to our house once a week to watch Kingston. Brothers who love us. Sister-in-laws who constantly go above and beyond to be considerate. And a father-in-law who refers to all us girls as his “daughters.” Thank you God for my family.
– Having a conversation with a friend yesterday that was a direct answer to prayer. His mouth was moving, but God was speaking. Thank you for speaking to me through your Word and through other people who love and follow you.
– Getting to take pictures of people and tell their stories AND get paid to do it! Thank you God for my job.
– Watching my husband leave for a job that allows him to do what he loves. A few years ago we didn’t think there were any opportunities for a motion graphics designer in Jacksonville. Thank you God for giving him the desires of his heart!
– Kissing my little boy goodnight. Thank you God for allowing me to parent him. He’s yours, but I sure do love him like he’s mine!
I pray that my heart is so in tune with His that I can’t help but talk about all he has done for me. Not because I deserve any of it. But because he is a good and gracious God. And that I am even quicker to praise him during the good times than I am to cry out in the bad.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!