Gratitude and Blessings: Day 25–Thankful for Time

Oh my goodness, it is only three days until Thanksgiving.  It is unbelievable that the month has almost come and gone.  Only 30 days until Christmas.  

Today I am thankful for time.

Weird, huh?

I am thankful that God allows time to heal when we are hurt.

Have you hurt this year?  I believe that if we are honest we all have.   Everyone has their own problems.

Some lots.

Some not so many. 

I know that there are people who are where I was a year ago.   I remember sitting on my steps like it was 10 minutes ago while my sister told me I would get through the hurt. 

I couldn’t breath.  Literally.  Have you every felt like that?   Cried so hard that you didn’t think your next breath would come?   

She said “Lori, you will wake one day and realize that he has hurt you so much that you don’t feel anything for him at all”.   Guess what?  She was right.  Sometimes the hurt overwhelms the good and you really can’t remember the good times anymore.   No matter how many you know there were.    You will feel better.  Maybe not tomorrow.  Maybe not next week.  But with time, you will have more moments that you are smiling than crying. 

I try to teach my kids that actions speak louder than words.   That is true.  But words hurt.  I have realized that when someone says something hurtful you never really forget.  Whether it is true or not.

I have questioned things about me that I know are not true.  It isn’t fair.    I have sat and thought about things people have said about me and even though I know it isn’t true, I know that God knows it isn’t true,  it still hurts me.   Funny how time doesn’t make that go away.   But it does help.

Someone shared a YouTube video that I love.  I share lots of things on my Facebook page.  Most are cute or funny.  This one made me realize that no matter what others think or say, I know that I am more than enough.  God tells me so.    I watch it nearly every day.  It makes me have chills every time no matter where I am or what I am doing.  I have sent it to the women in my life because I know that every one of us doubt that we a

re good enough. 

That we are pretty enough

That we have enough money.   That the mistakes we have made make us unworthy.

God says we are enough.   You are worth more than all earthly things. 

 

 

As time goes by, my kids are growing up to be beautiful, God centered young adults.   They too are feeling better.  At least they seem to be.  Time makes my love for them grow by the second.  Their father and I love them with everything we have.  

Today, I am thankful for the time God gives me.  None of us know how much we have.  It could all be over in a literal heart beat.    I pray that my minutes are spent glorifying God more than not.

And that I don’t waste the time I am given.

God Bless. 

Gratitude Challenge

Here it is.  Day 11 of a month of Thankfulness.    It’s funny how you have an idea of what you are going to write about and then BAM it all changes.

Not that my reasons have changed.  Maybe just my attitude about my thankfulness.

So starting today I will share two things I am thankful for. 

First read this.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.^[1]

^{Know what that is?}

^{It’s the 1st Amendment to the Constitution.   The one that allows us to say whatever we would like to.  No one can take away our freedom of speech.} 

^{I love that.}

^{Now, God doesn’t want us to say things out of spite, or hate, or anything other than love.  I try to remember that at all times.} 

^{It seems that I have offended people with what I talk about.  I guess I should apologize.  Actually, I wanna just say, if you don’t like what I have to say, please feel free to head on over to another blog and read it.   I am aware that I cannot please everyone and I don’t even have the strength or desire to try.}

^{But. . . . . . .}

^{If I can help just one person get through something hard, see things a little different, change for the better, or draw a little closer to God, then all of my efforts have been worth it.   I write this blog for me.  In the hopes that it helps people see what our homeschooling life is all about.  I am blessed beyond anything I have ever deserved.}

^{Another thing, feel free to comment.  That’s what it is there for.  All I ask is that you be respectful.  I would never say anything to intentionally hurt anyone.  I  mean that.  If you have an issue with something I have said, maybe it  is because it hits a little closer to home than you would like to admit.} 

^{The old saying “ the truth hurts'” is sometimes truer than we would like for it to be.   I am not perfect.  Haven’t ever claimed to be.} 

^{Don’t expect it or you will be sadly disappointed.} 

^{So, today I am thankful for the first amendment to our constitution that allows me to freely say and write what I want to convey.  Like it or don’t. .    It’s my right.  And yours.    And for the Veteran’s who have fought for our freedoms.  Happy Veteran’s Day.}

^{Secondly, I am thankful for unanswered prayers.    Garth Brooks knew what he was talking about.}

^{That is all.}

^{God Bless.}

30 days of Thanksgiving

 

I have  been doing my thankful list on Facebook this year. 

I was rudely told by my niece today that I am sadly neglecting my blog so I thought I should probably remedy that and do my list on here like I usually do.

Today is day 9 (I think).

It is hard when you are as blessed as I am to pick one thing each day.    But, I’m looking for the little things in life that bring me joy and I am thankful for.

Today,  I am thankful for the girls in my life. 

My Mom is my best friend.  I love her more everyday.  I never dreamed when I was growing up that she would be such a huge part of my adult life.  I’ve already dedicated a day to her and Dad but I didn’t want to leave her out of my special girls.

I have an amazing sister, Becky.  She has been so good to me.  My whole life really but especially the last couple of years.   She is my best friend and I thank God for her every day.

Next, my nieces, Allie and Emily.   They really bless me daily.

When they were little, my sister was going to nursing school, so I had them when they were young.  A lot.   It was some of the best years I had.  I loved playing with them.  People thought they were my kids.  Especially Allison.  She was very smart (still is) and was a blast.  She talked at a very early age and I remember she said the funniest things. 

One of the funniest things I can remember was when she was about 4.  She told her mom that her and her boyfriend had talked and they weren’t going to have sex.   Who knows where she even heard that word, but needless to say, Becky was relieved,  .

She has grown into an amazing young woman.  She spoils my kids just like I spoiled her.  She loves with her entire heart and is a blessing..  I love laughing with her and she is a great friend.   She is beautiful and smart.   To know her is to love her.  And I love her lots.   She has been one of the people I can talk to and listens without judging.  I love sending her little funny pictures to make her smile.

Emily came less than a year after Allie and we loved her just as much.  She was quiet and so beautiful.  She looked like a real live doll.  She didn’t talk until she was older because Allie did all of the talking for her.  She used to just point and got anything she wanted.   It was precious seeing her follow Allie around and learn from her.

She, too, has grown into a beautiful young woman.  She is very smart and anytime I need help with math or electronics, I call her.  She has made me laugh more than anyone I can ever remember.  We text late at night and I treasure that more than she can imagine. 

She has gotten a job that is perfect for her because she can show the love she has for people.  She is a blessing..    I remind her to never sell herself short because she is amazing.  She deserves the best.   I love her.

My baby girl is next.  Isabella is my heart.  She loves me with a passion I’ve never seen.  Sometimes it is smothering.   But, I know that this too shall pass.  There will be a time when she won’t want to sleep with me.  So, for now I let her.  She has done this since David left a year ago.  

I know that she is afraid that I am going to leave.  How do you explain to a little girl that you aren’t going to when someone has.   I have said over and over I am not going anywhere.  As long as God doesn’t take me home, I will be here.   I may go out or need a break, but I will always be back to take care of her.   It is so hard being a single mom.  I never asked for it but God gave me my children and knows the plans he has for us.   He has equipped me to be the best mom for these two kids.  They are blessings beyond measure.

Bella is smart.

And Beautiful.    She has the most beautiful blue eyes (which she informed me today are turning green?  LOL)  They aren’t.  and a smile that will melt your heart.  Her laugh is contagious.  She is my miracle.  You can read her birth story that tells of the miracle that she is.  In short, they told us she had spina bifida when she was born.  Through prayer I believe God healed her and even though she had to have surgery, she is perfect and has never had any problems from this.

I have many, many other blessings of special women in my life.  Cousins, friends, family members.

I have a few I am going to give their own days to so hopefully I won’t forget anyone.  (Of course, I prolly will.)

What are you thankful for today?

I read somewhere one time this. What if tomorrow you have ONLY what you thanked God for today?

Isn’t that great?  I try to remember this as I say my prayers every day. 

Thank you for visiting and Have a great day!