THANKFUL MUSCLES

I feel the need to testify for a minute.  It is so easy for me to come here and talk about the trials and hardships of life.  It's easy to look at the downside, and it's easy to get discouraged.  In general, I think it's more difficult to remember to be thankful - to go back and thank God for His faithfulness - to pause and flex those unused muscles.  The more we use them, the bigger those muscles get.  I want to use my thankful muscles today.

Last week Michael and I shared our testimony again with a group at our church called "Marriage Reconciliation."  What a wonderful reminder for us, to remember how far God has brought us.  It was more difficult to share our story this time, because we can't remember how bad it was very well anymore.  When we were talking and preparing for the class, we looked at each other several times and said, "Did that really happen??"  What a blessing to be so far removed from that painful, ugly time in our lives - like the east from the west.  Thank you, Lord, for complete healing and growth!

Our boys are just beautiful - can I just say that?  They are both in a sweet, simple time of life and I love soaking it in.  I get so overwhelmed by them sometimes.  I know there are people (and I know several of them personally) who struggle to conceive and have children of their own.  I know that I am blessed to be a mommy.  God didn't have to open up this unending joy in my life, but He did.  Thank you, Lord!

This work we are doing fills me and Michael both with so much purpose and purposefulness.  It is difficult and stressful and painful at times, but the joy always comes in the morning with what we are doing, and that is amazing to see happen over and over again.  The change and growth we see here cannot be measured, all to the glory of God.

God has brought me out of the desert and has led me to streams of water.  He has given me back my joy and my song.  I am so thankful to know that seasons are just that: seasons.  And they are temporary.  Even when I am in a very dark place, I know God will bring me out of it.  He always does.  I have been in a strong, wonderful place spiritually and emotionally for 2-3 months now.  Thank you, Lord, for being with me during that dark, dry season, and thank you for showing your mercies by bringing me out on the other side!

Our church is amazing.  The people who lead us are Christ-followers.  Our new worship center opened up this past weekend, and they asked people to go and pray over it.    When Michael and I went, the prayer packet our leaders prepared for us to use blew our minds.  It is beautiful to be part of something bigger than us - something that brings glory to the Lord and brings others to Him.