Today I’m thankful for the rush of water from our taps. I’m thankful for the ability to clean. I’m thankful for the lessons learned throughout this whole no water ordeal. I’m extra thankful for the fact that I can wake up and go to the bathroom in my own home. That is a blessing I have definitely taken for granted. I’m also thankful for libraries, Grandmas & Grandpas, care packages, and a thoughtful husband. These are just a handful of the delights that filled my day.
Author: amylynw
Love Does
One of my favorite books is by Bob Goff, called Love Does. Today my life felt like a chapter in that book. This morning I woke up to the beeping of my phone and this text from a friend: Dear Weldons, would you like to come spend the day with us? We will make you a pancake breakfast, we will get your laundry started, and then we’ll get to work on school stuff. We would love to have you! I went to bed wondering what the day would hold. I woke up so incredibly touched by this practical invitation. Love does. Today at lunch, at a full table of a dozen children and two mommies, Nadine thanked the Lord that our water was off so we could enjoy the day with our friends! I’m also thankful that I can run over to another friend’s house and go to the bathroom at any hour. I’m thankful for the offers of showers and baths. Sometimes we think about how we could help others, instead of just doing it. Being on the receiving end of love in action is incredible, but not even as much as being on the giving end. He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Prov. 11:25 Getting outside our comfort zone is awkward sometimes. It might involve having some un-bathed family raid your house and cupboards. It might not even be that dramatic. But when we love practically and specifically, we bless in eternal measures. Pressed down, shaken together, running over kind of blessings.
Stormy Miracles
What is there not to be thankful about? Today at church we heard a riveting story by a man named Terry Caffey. Click on his name to read his story. I am overwhelmed with thankfulness for my family. Though our basement has a layer of smelly sewage on the floor, our water is turned off, and we have to walk to our neighbors to go potty, these are insignificant challenges in light of many things. I am thankful for the moments together, even the moments of hair-tingling annoyance or when it seems like things will never be quiet… I am thankful. God is good. When heaven seems silent, when the waters are stormy, when the boat is rocking and we feel the strength of our problems overwhelming every corner of our heart… He is there. God uses the storms in our life to show His greatest miracles. He has a purpose for my life and yours. He is working behind the scenes on things we cannot even begin to dream about.
Thrilling Tapioca
Today I’m thankful for the tapioca pearls someone gave us awhile back. They’ve been sitting in my cupboard, and I pulled them out this week for some sensory play! Betty was immediately pleased with herself that she was cooking alongside mommy, and set to work scooping, pouring, and taking handfuls of the fun little spheres. Soon all the kids wanted in on the game, and there were tiny white balls all over the kitchen floor. They roll and bounce very easily, by the way. Every day now, Betty goes to the big drawer under the oven, pulls out the muffin tins and a spoon and looks up at me with those baby browns, expectantly waiting for me to fetch the tapioca. I’m thankful for imaginations, the grace when messes happen, and the joy on my children’s faces from simple things. Who needs toys when you have tapioca?
Giant Generosity
Today I’m thankful for wonderful neighbors, especially Jen, who is this magical gardener. I’m thankful to drive past her house whenever I come home, and whenever I drive or walk by, I feel as if I’m transported out of the city to somewhere beautiful. I’m thankful for the ginormous pumpkin she gave me. It made five pan-fulls of roasted chunks, and five blender-fulls of puree! It could feed our family for a week, I think. I’m thankful for generosity shown to us through our family in Christ. God loves a cheerful giver! So many times we wonder at what He wants us to do. Usually He is just nudging us towards small, everyday acts of kindness, generosity, and selflessness. He loves that. It reflects who HE is to us. I want to reflect who He is to others.
A Warrior and A Princess
Today I’m thankful for the way our kids like to buddy up with each other. Every day, sometimes every hour, it is a different pair or trio. This particular afternoon it was Jack and Elsie. They both like to wear hats. They both like oats for lunch. They look out for each other’s interests. For instance, today when we were driving, Elsie pointed out an orange truck to Jack. She knows he loves orange and probably thought the truck factor was a bonus. I love that sometimes he will concede and play house with her, and other times she will agree to play ninja with him. I’m thankful they can encourage each other and challenge each other in school. I’m thankful for this sweet little duo who bring so much energy and spice to my life.
All Is Not Small
Today I’m thankful for just enough flour in the cupboard to make cinnamon rolls. Nothing is more fall-y than hot tea with cinnamon rolls. I’m thankful that God doesn’t change, no matter what the calendar reads, the critics say, or the bank account shows. I’m thankful that He knows my name and never leaves me, no matter what I’ve done or how I feel. He is totally worth celebrating and remembering. Bless the Lord, all my soul, and forget not all His benefits; who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. (Psalm 103:2-3)
Brothers
Today I’m thankful for brothers. I love these particular brothers, who share a room and clothing. Sometimes at night I can hear them talking to each other in their beds. Usually it’s about their dream remote control car, or girls. Sometimes Jack will just come up behind me and start playing with my hair or rubbing my shoulders. Sometimes Elijah will write me little notes. They’re still wearing crocs and flip-flops, and almost every pair of pants has holes in the knees. They play hard, work hard, and sleep hard. They have huge appetites, dreams, and hearts. Without them our fridge would be fuller, but my heart would be emptier.
Confessions of A Mom
Today I’m thankful for the stages of life that my children are all going through. I love watching them learn and grow and become their own little persons. I’m thankful that with each soul born into our family, my heart has not grown more cluttered, just more full. Today I struggled with the noise level of my day. Yet I’ve been reminded that even though my life is never quiet, my heart is at peace. I wonder what it would be like to have neatly lined-up shoes in front of the door, and two loads of laundry a week. I wonder what it would be like if my counter-tops were always spotless and my bathroom sink never had toothpaste smeared all over it. Would that truly make me happy? No, I realize that picking up the zillionth shoe is a privilege, honor, and gift from God. I realize that the random shirt stuffed under the sofa, the mysterious smell coming from the bathroom, the gum stuck to the floor, the empty fridge yet again, are all marks of tremendous blessings. I have five little bodies that stumble down for a hug each morning. I have been given five hearts to love and tell about Jesus, the lover of their souls. Forgive me, Lord, when I cringe at the messes instead of embracing the mess-makers. Forgive me for blocking out my ears to their voices instead of joining in the clamor. Forgive my ungrateful heart and create in me a clean heart, O God, ready to hug, listen, and love. I truly am thankful.
Little Pumpkins
Today I’m thankful for the farm where we get our milk. Pumpkin patch photo ops, and sweet kids of our love. I’m thankful for my family and the crackling fire at my in-laws. I’m thankful for the freedom Christ has given to live victoriously and with joy. Something I’m learning more about each day.
Grow Old With Me 