Thankful Thursday

As another Thursday rolls around I go back in time five months. I had joined a local Community Bible Study group and was unsure of the whole situation.

We had decided as a family to change churches in December of 2012 for several reasons. We found a new church home at Believer's Chapel where one of my childhood friends was now the Associate Pastor. The women's ministry was starting an evening bible study in February but I could not attend because Bryan delivered pizza every Tuesday night.

I want to quickly give a huge shout out to my amazing husband for humbling himself to become a pizza delivery guy and provide for us no matter what. Bryan, YOU ROCK!

Okay, back to the story!

Since I couldn't participate on Tuesday nights a leader at Believer's suggested I try out CBS. I signed up and was welcomed with open arms for the Spring study of Ephesians.

Every Wednesday morning I would drop my two children off in their classes and make my way to the meeting room for fellowship and then joined my core group to review the week's lesson.

I opened up quite a bit with not only the women in my group but the other moms I would see in the hallways. We were all there to learn more about Jesus and in the process God opened up a whole new way for me to see His blessings.

Almost every week I heard a conversation about someone's child who was allergic to a food, suffering from an illness, dealing with a learning disability, struggling with a physical disability, or having behavioral issues. I was really heartbroken for these moms who I could plainly see were exhausted and worried.

I also recognized something in my own heart which caused me great embarrassment.

I have a way of seeing the glass as half-empty sometimes. I complain to myself or my husband about our children's attitudes, their lack of enthusiasm to complete chores, or their willingness to follow directions. I tire easily of the wining and complaining. Does that ever bother any of you?

Hearing these stories on a weekly basis showed me how petty I was most days about the little things my children do because they are just kids!

I have healthy, normal, beautiful, rambunctious children who I often take for granted.

It actually hurts to type those words out and read them again.

I began to thank God for my healthy children every time I heard of another child in need. I prayed for them and their parents for God to give them comfort, peace, and answers.

So today I am once again thanking God for blessing me with three amazing kids. Even though they ask me 300 questions a day, nag each other to distraction, and cause me to forget over and over where I put my keys, I love them fiercely and pray for their protection daily.

They are truly beautiful creatures and my prayer is for them to continue to challenge me everyday. Although keeping the questions down below 200 would be nice!!

What are you thankful for today?


Linking up with Sarah for Thankful Thursdays!