Thanking Him...

The last few months have been hard.

Hard emotionally.
Hard physically.
Hard spiritually.
Hard mentally.

We've had busy and full days.  School is in full swing around here which takes up lots of this mama's brain and energy.  We've been making a new bedroom for Liam.  We've been struggling through some parenting issues.  Growing a baby this time around is much harder and more taxing on this body than before.  All of these things, and others, added together have made some days feel like life is pounding down hard.

After a few weeks of swirling around in the ocean of life, I was determined to fight for joy when the pounding came and keep my mind focused on Him. 

He is my rock and protector.
He is my strength and song.
He holds all things together and knows the days He's planned for me.
He calls me to trust Him.
He wants me to see the beauty He has given to me each day and in return... thank Him.

So that is what I did.  This whole month I kept a long list of the blessings He poured into each of my days.  It was amazing how even when the days seems hard and dark, looking for Him, His fingerprints, and His blessings brought perspective and joy. 

There were days I didn't want to thank Him.  There were days I didn't feel worthy of the blessings I knew He had given.  There were days where I couldn't even keep count of my thanks and the joy overflowed. 

Thank You Father for reminding my heart to see the goodness You give in each day... and to give thanks. May I keep on thanking You and fighting for the joy that You alone can give!

Some of the gifts He gave me in my days this month...

~A song played at just the right time
~Forgiveness and teachable moments in my parenting
~His smile and love for people
~Yellow mums
~For the little kicks of a healthy baby
~A tea party with my girl
~His love for letters and numbers
~Chocolate chip cookies
~Extra snuggles at bed time
~the Psalms
~The note and picture left on my pillow
~...if we are faithless, He remains Faithful!
~for restarts in the school day
~prayer with a friend
~compression hoes
~courage when I needed it
~Laughing with him
~a good night of sleep
~grace when I needed my 3rd shade of green paint
~the beauty of His creation
~worship songs at church that bring tears
~knowing that He sees and He knows... and He is near.

Today, I truly am grateful!