Thankfulness

At this time of the year I like to reflect on the many things for which I am thankful. I could run down a list like most people do, but instead I am just going to sum up my year in a few words grace, dedication, love, and trials.

It all begins with God's undying and irreversible grace. Thank you God for sending your very precious loving Son to take on my many sins past, present, and future. I never truly understood the sacrifice you gave until having my own little one. The most amazing thing about it all, is that like all little ones, Elyse's soul has been in your gracious presence before you gave her to us. Every time I look into her eyes I am reminded that you are in control and without your grace I am not able to exist each and everyday. With knowing that your grace surrounds me I am able to be the wife, momma, daughter, friend, and Christian woman you desire me to be. Being all these people to different people takes dedication.

Dedication to decorate my home with love and laughter, as well as a good meal or two. Having the most dedicated husband to work as hard as he does to supply us with the income to have the nice things that we have. I know this has been hard for me to grasp this year because I have always been one to help with finances.  I understand now with the birth of our first child I wouldn't want this any other way. I am blessed BEYOND words with the most amazing, trustworthy, and loving man I have ever met.

"The greatest of these is Love." I never knew how great this word was until we had our first child. Of course there is the ABUNDANT love I have for my little sweet Elyse but my love for my spouse has grown exceeding as well. Ever time I look, kiss, or laugh with my sweet baby I am reminded that all of this would not be possible without God, spouse, & love. This all is good and appreciated but then there come the trials.

Why the tests and trials? I thought I was finished with these once I was out of school. Not the case. In the most recent week I have cried, I feel, more than any other time in my life. My trial is the fear of the unknown. Can this be a trial? Yes! I have come to cherish the Bible verse Phillipians 4:19 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thy own understandings. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." The pouring out of every part of my being is that the Lord will direct my path and that He will show me all the way through this trial. It is my belief that without trials there would be no need for God's grace, to show dedication, or to know love. So, yes I am thankful for all these things... even the trials.