As I reflect on thanksgiving, my mind has so many thoughts going through it. This has been a very interesting year. This year:

• I left a job I enjoyed based on faith, principle, and the need to take the limits off of myself and what God could do if I trusted Him in this area
• A loved one fell ill and God pulled a prayer I have never prayed in a fervor which I’ve seldom used to bring healing and restoration to my loved one, which is yet a life-changing new norm
• I moved, strategically, by God’s design, to be more present and intentional to the people who mean the most to me
• I started a new job that encourages me to shine my light for Jesus Christ like never before, because working with others again causes me to see me, my witness, my walk, and my weaknesses in an entirely new light. It also rekindles intercession and concern for others before God. I am being stretched and moved to be who God has created me to be
• I am coming to terms with me. My heart, mind, and body are a gift that I have been giving, that I am re-gifting to the Giver. Funny thing is, I was a little broken and he had to put me back together. To my surprise, He did it better.

In this season where the world recognizes gratitude for a day and then mass consumerism the next, I find myself stuck. I am stuck on the gratitude because as I looked around the room of my home, with my small family around me, with all our mess, and all our joy, and all our things left unsaid, I found the words to tell the most important person in the room what I needed to tell him. I was able, in my cloud of witnesses to tell God thank you.

Thank you that I am almost 30 and despite the things life threw at me I am still alive. Thank you that only two months ago I thought I may be saying goodbye to one of the men I love most, but it was not so, and he was sitting right across from me, eating a meal I made him, with a smile. Thank you that I could see my dad and my mom, still married, in my home, eating my green beans and potatoes, and enjoying them. Thank you that my healthy nieces, and supportive sister were there in my home, enjoying themselves, tearing up my couch pillows, and making me pick up macaroni and cheese off the floor. Thank you that my aunt and her son though we have differences in beliefs could feel peace, the peace that only Jesus Christ and authentic love could give, in my home. Thank you Jesus Christ for a home, and food, and lights, and gas (the kind that heated my stove), and most importantly, joy.

I loved how I looked in a bright pink running shirt and the stretchiest leggings I could find. I loved how my house looked, clean and smelling amazing. I loved how my hair and face looked, with no makeup on and hair barely combed. I loved how my food tasted, My Elizabeth gave ma a BANGING green beans and potatoes recipe! I loved hosting thanksgiving because I was me, God was God, and we did a great job loving on my family.

So I will say, thank you Jesus Christ for being the joy of my salvation. Thank you for the opportunity to refresh other women through this blog. Thank you that you are changing me in our time together on the other side of this screen. You love me and I know it. You love me and I feel it. You love me and that makes me more confident in who I am becoming in and through You. Thank you for restoring my soul and leading me in paths of righteousness for your name’s sake. I love you.

#happythanksgiving

#thanksgiving2019

Question: What are you thankful for? Feel free to leave a comment! I’d love to know! 🙂