Thankful... Just sayin'

Well, this thanksgiving day didn't start out the best for this Momma... Without going into much detail, our family is experiencing the most difficult time we have ever faced. I awoke at 2:45 am, not able to sleep, as sadness, hurt and brokeness flooded my heart and soul. I tossed and turned, then decided to get up and spend some time looking for God's promises. Here are some verses I came across:

Psalm 119:50
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing

John 16:33  
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Isaiah 41:10
fear not, for I am with you;  be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 40:28-31
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary,and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary;   they shall walk and not faint.

Joshua 1:9   
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Psalms 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble

2 Corinthians 12: 9b,10
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  This is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Isaiah 61:7 
Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.  Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs.

After finded those comforting words and beginning a journal, once again, i was able to get a few more hours of much needed rest. The past two nights, I have mourned and shed tears. I have worried and feared that we made the wrong decision. I have been sad and broken hearted. But today I was reminded of the things that I DO have to be thankful for and reminded to focus on those things, instead of what I don't have. So...i'd like to share with you just a few of those things....

- The most AMAZING, patient, wonderful, selfless, giving, hard working husband who spoils this high maintenance girl & puts up with all my faults, loves me just the same & never gives up on me
- Daughters who are becoming some of the dearest friends I will ever have, who are serving God with their talents
- A son who is truly a gift...the most wonderful, wiser than his years, life giving, fantastic drumming, always willing to lend a hand, completely unselfish gift
- A son in law who provides for my daughter & grandson & loves them so
- The most adorable, sweet, chubby cheeked grandson, who has brought our family, especially his Nana, so much joy!
- My dearest & bestest friend for over 30 years, who has been there for me through every heartache, every joy & who has given more than I deserve
- My Mumsy who gave me life & continues to love me no matter how awful I treated her when I was a teenager.
- The little things....a warm place to call home, food in my fridge & cabinets, a wonderful comfy mattress to lie on & fluffy to cover me up with at night, cars that drive us to & from work, jobs with great coworkers, more than enough clothes to keep me warm, shoes on my feet, new friendships, fluffy socks, my little Izzy, COFFEE....and so so much more!

But the BIGGEST thing I am thankful for today is my God! He is faithful, always ready to forgive, never gives up on me, holds my broken heart in his hand and counts the tears that fall. He keeps me safe, promises to never leave me, gives me second chances, even when I fail Him. He comforts my broken heart, heals the pain and loves me unconditionally! What more could I ask for?

So on this thanksgiving day... Though sad, I am thankful...just saying'

I Don't Know you, but I Love You

It's hard to believe that it has been WELL over a year since I have written anything. I have/had great intentions for this blog, but I get busy with other things and I constantly lay it aside. But alas, here I am again and let me tell you why NOW...

I have an Aunt who is from England, and lives there. I have never met her (but I sure hope to one day very soon), but I feel connected to her because she is my family. I love her...some people may not understand this ..."how could you love someone that you have never met?" But you see, she is my flesh and blood, she is my Aunt and despite not ever meeting her, I know she is my family and I feel it.

There is someone else that I love, but I have yet to meet. His name is Jonah Maverick. I have felt him kick and roll. Laughed at the rhythm of his hiccups. Saw his chubby cheeks through his US and imagined what & who he might possibly look like. I have seen his mama and daddy grin with excitement at the anticipation of his arrival & look at me with weary eyes, wondering if the day will EVER come, that he will make his grand appearance. This little man is my grandson. I have yet to meet him. But you see, he is my flesh and blood. Part of me. I love him!

As I wrote this, I started with a whole different thought...and then, this thought came to me. God knew me and loved me before I was even a part of this world. His word says:

 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you... Jeremiah 1:5

How could HE know ME, when I wasn't even born??
You know why? Because I am His flesh and blood. I am a child of the King. His son died for me.

 And you know what? He did that for ALL OF YOU TOO! What an amazing fact that is! The creator of the universe loved ME & YOU ... BEFORE we were even a thought.

I love my Aunt because she is my blood.
I love Jonah because he is my blood.
God loves me because I am His blood.
I have gotten to know my aunt a bit better talking to her and emailing her.
I have gotten to know Jonah a bit more, by feeling his kicks and hearing his heart beat.
I need to get to know my God better.
Read His word.
Pray.
Worship.
Intentionally seek Him.

So, what does all that have to do with my aunt and writing in this blog again? Well, she said to me the other day, as I was asking people on facebook about the best place to host my decorating blog, "forgive my ignorance, but what is a blog?". I explained it to her a bit and sent her the links to this blog, my decorating blog (notjustnanashouse.blogspot.com) and to Melodie's blog. Soon after, she sent me a message and said she had read through my blog and it caused tears to fall. It made me stop and think. It made me go back and read my blog posts. And it made me see how even though I have not known my God like I should, He has known me. He has blessed me. He has loved me.

So here I am once again, writing and sharing my heart. My heart that longs to be closer to the God that loved me before I was conceived, loves me today and will love me for all eternity.

Just like I love my Aunt...

Just like I love my Jonah...