Thank YOU

As I think about Thanksgiving, I am reminded to pause and give thanks for the blessings in my life. I am extremely thankful for how God continues to provide and be faithful in every realm. However, there seems to be a continuous theme that God uses in my life to bless me. I haven't always thought of this as a blessing. There have been times where it has felt like a huge burden and even a punishment when trials would overwhelm me. By being able to look behind me I can see how He has continually allowed a life in which I cannot live on my own. This goes beyond my need for Him, but in the practical realm of his purpose and plan for me.

As a special needs parent, I have an even greater understanding of community. Needing other people or allowing ourselves to be vulnerable with others is not a common American theme. We are taught from an early age about pride, self-sufficiency, and independence. All of which are necessary to function as an adult. However, there are times in our lives when we realize life is not meant to be walked alone. Our circumstances may drive us to reach out to accomplish our goals or they simply draw us out of ourselves and free us up to love those around us. Initially, we feel like a failure because we are unable to do it all on our own. But, we soon realize we have been given a rare gift. When God gives you a task that is too much for you or makes you overwhelmed, knowing He has a plan, purpose, and people will provide the peace you need.

If only I could go back to the beginning of our special needs journey and know what I know now. God has graciously provided the right people every step of the way. He knew our needs before we did. A day that had initially been a tragic mark on our family map, has turned out to give us a life of great blessing. In every trial and struggle, we are reminded of our inadequacy and our need for Christ and his plan. It is a blessing to get to share our life with so many amazing people on a daily basis. Not only do we have an amazing team for Benjamin, but we have amazing friends, teachers, church family, and family. Without our community of loved ones this would be a lonely journey. But, what a blessing to need others. So, today I am thankful I am unable to handle this life on my own.

I want to say thank you to the many people who have and do love on our family. Your smiles, questions, prayers do not go unnoticed. They are my treasure and I am blessed by you! Happy Thanksgiving!

Rest

Rest. I love naps. Life takes on a new meaning after a good nap. Things seem a little clearer, less cluttered, and I have a better perspective when my body has rested. However, as life throws its curve balls or we spend ourselves on great endeavors or the normalcy of this life, we crave a different type of rest. For those of us who simply desire peace, we wait for rest to come when all of life's circumstances add up. There is enough of this and none of that. Unfortunately, happiness can be fleeting and life is fluid with its hills and valleys.

There has to be something that is constant. Something that never changes and provides a place of solace and peace. So often I run to God to fix my circumstances, change things, and provide answers. There are times that he does just that. But, what I have found even better than answers is himself.  He is the gift. His presence, His peace despite where life may take me. He is always fighting for me. He will not fail me. He loves me and especially in my pain He is so present.

We tend to look for joy and happiness through our eyes. Our stuff, people, money, and all other worldly accomplishments. Some of us grow weary in the fight, some keep fighting, but hopefully we all will journey to the end of ourselves and embrace our true brokenness as God pries our hands off what we think we need. The funny thing is we all are broken. We are made to need our God. It is in these moments that we are set free. Our freedom comes not from the absence of trials, but in the One who walks with us. Then, it doesn't matter where we walk, as longs as, He is with us.

Be encouraged today, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 'Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.' (2 Cor. 12:9) May you find true rest today. It is a path worth taking.

Aunt Linda

We all have those solid people in our lives, those that just loved us well. They don't hold the medal for perfection, riches, or fame. But, in our lives they were solid. A constant and since life is fluid you don't realize the great role they play. They remain hidden in the mundane. They are just always there. They don't seek anything from us except our love.

I have been blessed by lots of those people in my life. For me, most of them have been in my family. We have been going through some of my Aunt Linda's pictures and belongings since her passing. They bring back great memories and I have learned about an older generation of family I never met. However, I am ultimately reminded of what her life meant to mine. She loved well, showed hospitality, worked hard, and was dependable. I really don't think she ever gave me advice, correction, or discipline. Just love and food. Her presence in my life impacted me tremendously. She never sought public fame or notoriety, but to me she is a hero and I will be forever grateful.

In a world where people run to the newest, greatest, and best of something I see something in her life that is better. Loyalty and consistency mean so much more. I desire to love others like she has loved me. It is tempting to chase after so many things the world can offer, but to remain firm and steadfast in loving others is a life well lived.

Faith

I long to put the experience of fifty years at once into your young lives, to give you at once the key to that treasure chamber every gem of which has cost me tears and struggles and prayers, but you must work for these inward treasures yourself.

(Harriet Beecher Stowe)

I used to exercise a lot more than I do now. A lot more. What I have found with myself is I like to talk about exercising, plan to exercise, and research exercising, but rarely do it. There have been times in my post college life that I have done a great job of getting up and moving and then those times where I haven't done anything at all. I can watch other people exercise, cheer them on, or even wish I was them, but at that point I still haven't done anything to develop my own strength. I even tell myself things like, "Well, I don't want to go too overboard and be a fanatic", but what I am really doing is finding excuses. I don't have time, energy, the abilities, etc. But, when I do choose to get out and move I find that each day it is a little easier. The only way for me to get in shape is for me to exercise for myself. To feel the pain, make the choice, and go down the journey of a healthy lifestyle.My strength grows and I feel better.I believe there is a strong correlation with our faith journey.

 Faith is similar to exercise in that it must be used in order to grow. The difference is it really isn't dependent on us. We just have to be willing and God takes care of the rest. We must embrace the journey that He will lead us on. It is through this journey that our faith matures. Sometimes it's through struggles, triumphs or even our fears. The more we step out and follow God through obedience the deeper our faith gows. We begin to trust him more and more. Small steps lead the way to great walks of faith. God has and continues to give us all the faith we need, we must choose to follow. The ultimate goal in living a life of obedience and faith has little to do with that God accomplishes through us, but everything to do with the love and relationship it creates between us and our God.

What step of bedience is God asking you to take today? Are you willing to grow your faith?He is trustworthy. Unlike my humanity and inability to be consistent. He is...everyday. He is faithful. Your faith journey is the greatest path you will ever take.

DETOURS

I love our home and where we live, however, there is road work being done. I am usually pretty patient and I don't get too stressed about life's little inconveniences. I know the road will be better; I know it needs to be done. I know it is only for a short period of time, etc, etc. The frustration I have in this circumstance is that it literally effects everywhere we go. Places that would normally be just down the road are now across town. It makes my three trips back into the house for the items I forgot a little more stressful. I had a pretty good attitude about it early on, but now that it is really messing up my travel I am not as patient. You would think I would plan a few more minutes to get where I am going, but I don't. Adjusting is hard.

Isn't that how we feel about our life journey sometimes. The path that we thought we would go down somehow has a detour? Or perhaps it doesn't even exist anymore. We often look at these new adventures as scary because of the unknown. But, there is someone who goes ahead of you, paves the way, and leads you down the right road. The frustrating thing to us is that we didn't get to "pick" that road. The funny thing about detours is they still lead to your original destination, if you are willing to follow.

Tonight I drove home on a quiet back road that I have only been taking because of the detours. I remember thinking, " I would have never known how beautiful this is if I didn't "have" to come this way." This is so true for my life.  There are difficult times, for sure. But, the beauty in them and the joy that I have experienced has mostly come from the "detours". When Christ leads he is able to help us see the beauty in all things. He helps us experience true joy in Himself and the roads we travel don't become such a big deal. It is all about who travels with us and where He leads.

We become willing to go anywhere as long as He is there. Our paths may take us to places where we build the roads, repair the roads, or perhaps He leads us off the beaten path. His paths are always worth taking....

Celebrate Life

 This is the time of year we say goodbye to crazy mornings, three different schools, activities, challenges, and victories as we welcome SUMMER. Hello, lazy mornings, swimming, friends, and fun! But, before we dive in I always like to pause and give God the glory for all that was accomplished each year. He graciously provides the right friends, teachers, family, and the village we need to keep our family going. He never fails. We get to journey through life with great people and for that we are beyond thankful. We pray we love on them as much as they love on us.

Our kids school journey's are as unique as their personalities. The beauty of family is that we are all individuals journeying through life together. We are headed in the same direction as we seek to bring glory to Christ and one life isn't more valuable than another. Although our paths may be different they intertwine and lead to the same destination. We get to love, challenge, and celebrate each other along the way. I can't think of a more beautiful picture. From having a great academic year and starting a new chapter, working with disabilities to achieve goals, or being nice to your preschool classmates. Those are amazing accomplishments and worthy of great celebration.

Celebrate life today. Each life. Each has purpose, plan, and God given journey. Every trial, struggle, joy, and triumph makes us who we are. Embrace yours today. It is a path worth taking....

Choose Life

Taking the next step in anything can be scary. We tend to focus on the big picture and leave lots of room for the unpredictable. We can let it play in our minds long enough that we scare ourselves out of moving forward. We put too much pressure on ourselves and believe we actually have control. Moving forward is a necessary for growth, especially in our spiritual lives.

Thankfully, with God we put our trust not in ourselves, our strengths, or even our circumstances. We put our trust in the one who wrote or future. I can't think of anything more devastating than choosing to not allow God to help you move closer to him. Our whole life is a journey of knowing Him and doing His will. He is our guide and He is faithful.

Following His plan can feel scary, difficult, and contain unknowns. Yet, so does anything worth having. Embracing the adventure and releasing control of our lives brings life. Seeking His desires above our own and asking for His direction gives us great wisdom. Life is found when we choose to move forward in His will.

I encourage you today to take that step and live by faith. Our faith is not visible in the realm of the world, but our strength comes from the one we put our faith in. Faith is never blind. The redemptive character of Jesus Christ and his faithfulness pave the way for our security, direction, and hope. Cling to the promises and remind yourself of his faithfulness in times past. An outward action always begins with an inward action. God's ways are always different than the world's. Whatever He is asking of you most likely will not bring you outward recognition, but it will bring great contentment. Choose life.

"A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of."(John 10:10 Msg)