Our world reels unless we rejoice

Our world reels unless we rejoice. A song of thanks steadies everything.

-Ann Voskamp

Sometimes I feel as though my list of thanks just ends up being a highlight reel of the week. I don’t want that. And honestly, I don’t live a highlight reel life, I live a real life.  The secret to true thanks is giving thanks in all things. Not just the highlight reel. Sure, there were some high-points this week that nourished my soul, brought perspective, and lifted my heart, but the greatest gifts were inward ones.

Inward work of the Father. His love revealed in quiet ways. His whispers. Small gestures of kindness from a friend that would appear nothing but meant everything.

I was blessed by the kindness of a fellow mom I’d only met once before, treating us so generously to a field trip to OMSI. So blessed by watching the faces of my children, enraptured, joy-filled, exploring, learning, running, playing. So blessed by her gentle, humble presence. Her simple acceptance of me and my kids.

I was so blessed this week by finally sleeping through the night after 10 straight days of coughing myself silly. So grateful for health! For life! For sun! For green things growing and salads from the garden and fresh hand-made pasta from our housemate. I was so blessed this week by one simple email from a friend. She didn’t have to write it, but she did.   I was so blessed by truth, which brings light. By grace, which brings love. By hope, which brings comfort and joy.

I was so blessed by the light in Mary’s eyes as she played with Dutch & Heidi. I was so blessed by laughter. By tromping barefoot through wide-open fields of dirt, for side-splitting laughter as we went from, “This feels good,” to “the dirt-clods kind of hurt,” to “I have tears in my eyes” to “I think my feet are bleeding.” I was so blessed by a truck pulling up in the middle of the field (with my son in the cab!) to pick us up. I was so blessed by hand-made hamburgers and fresh blueberries and eating so much pineapple my mouth hurt. I was blessed by an enormous chocolate cupcake I should n’t haven’t eaten but I did.  

I was blessed by my man. He is calm and love and firm steady grace. He is others-focused and Christ-centered. He bears my moods patiently. Grateful for that.

I am blessed by open windows in the morning and coffee brewing early. By the smell of Heidi’s palms and Dutch’s breath. By inconveniences like both children crawling in our bed early. By lying there just stroking his cheek as he sleeps. I’m grateful for this week, with all its highs and lows, and for today–a new day full of mercy. Great is His faithfulness.

Thanks for reading.