Wednesday, November 25, 2009

All Circumstances

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

I love Thanksgiving. It competes with Christmas for me as a favorite holiday. I love the anticipation of Thanksgiving, the getting ready for it, all the things that precede it get me that much more excited for it. I think it is a holiday that gets overlooked or is just seen as the Christmas kick-off. I have never felt that way about Thanksgiving. However, this year has been different for me. We had a flooding issue the last weekend in September and since then our home has been in total chaos. I mean we were having to go to the garage to search for our underwear every morning. Then if you have ever been in a remodeling situation you know how stressful that can be. I have been in a funk for six weeks. That is not like me. I love fall so very much and feel like I missed out on it. We have been so busy with our business and school is... well full of teenagers and you know that brings no stress! Anyway I have just been out of sorts and thinking life would never get back to normal for us. Well it has and as I sat down this morning in my cozy chair, (which has been covered in plastic for three weeks) to have some alone time with the Lord, I realized why I had been in a funk. I had not been having my quiet time. How ashamed I felt that I let an upside down house get me upside down. I had let the ole devil get away with turning my focus on everything that I felt was wrong in my life and stealing my joy. Then I felt ashamed as I thought about all the things that were stressing me out you know like:
My home is upside down and chaotic......at least you have a home
My job is so busy.....................................at least you have a job
We keep getting work thrown at us.......Six months ago you were praying for more work
I was sick with myself. I love Thanksgiving, I love to give Thanks and I wasn't doing it.
So, what am I thankful for this year?
A loving gracious Father who sent His son to die for my sins
A loving gracious Father who has been waiting on me every morning to acknowledge Him and when I finally do, He wraps His arms around me and forgives me.
A husband who loves the Lord, loves me, loves our children, grandchildren, our employees, prays for those who are hurting, who works hard and makes me smile every day.
Children who come and help their sad parents out whenever we need them to, and never complain - at least not to us.
Two grand boys who make us laugh and bring us so much joy.
Our parents who have helped us so much, taught us so much, and loved us so much.
Siblings that we can talk to and count on to pray for us.
Friends that help out in all circumstances.
Our home.
Our health.
Our business that keeps growing.
The fact that we have decisions to make about where to spend Thanksgiving when so many others are alone, may we never take family for granted.
Bible study peeps that pray for me regularly.
My country.
Our soldiers.
My freedom.
My salvation, thank you Lord. Thank you, thank you.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Josh

This is our son Josh. He is ridiculously handsome but will never be serious in a picture. He has a beautiful smile but I haven't gotten a good pic of that since his high school senior pictures eight years ago and that was only because he knew we were paying good money for those.



Josh and his darling girlfriend, who by the way also has a beautiful smile and he better get to being cute in pictures with her!


But normally this is what I get when I take his picture:



Or this: (notice that his baby sister is always on cue and ready to smile for the camera). Josh is a great big brother.


He is also a terrific uncle. Refuses to talk baby talk but a great uncle nevertheless.




Josh is a good grandson. They are used to his silliness in pictures. I think his PawPaw even encourages him in his mischief.



Josh is many things to his family. His dad and I know we can call him with anything and he will be here in an instant. I just know he is going to move hundreds of miles away but he hasn't yet. He is always there when we need him. He is a manly man. He loves to deer hunt, play in the mud, and just all things boy. He has been that way forever. He was our only child that could entertain himself and play alone for hours. Either that or he thought we were all so weird he wanted no part of us. But in spite of being so masculine, Josh is a very sensitive human being. He is thoughtful, considerate and always seems to know just when this mom needs a hug. He is loving to his sisters, nephews, grandparents and never leaves the house without hugging his dad. He is going to be mad at me for this! I don't care though because Josh is one of those who never wants attention brought to himself. However it is only fitting on this day that I tell you something else he is.
Josh is a veteran. It seems only right to honor him today, along with so many others. Josh was deployed to Iraq for about a year. His leave was difficult on our whole family but a blessing all at the same time. His dad and I learned a lot during that year about trusting the Lord. God honored that and increased our faith tremendously. We were still so happy when his year ended and he was home. He doesn't talk much about his leave and we don't ask much. I have observed him with some of his friends he was deployed with and he cares for those guys like they are his family. In a way they definitely were and continue to be. All those men fought for our freedoms and rights and we certainly do not take that for granted. Unselfishly. That is how Josh lives. Unselfishly.
We are blessed that he came home safely. Many did not, many are still fighting the battle to uphold our freedom. My brother-in-law is in Afghanistan. My grandfather fought in WWII. So many who did so much. Honor our veterans this day. Pray for those who continue to serve and defend this nation of ours.
Josh, know how much we love you and are so proud of you and the man that you are. We honor you and thank you for your sacrifice.