Season of Thanksgiving

Don't sigh. Don't roll your eyes.

This isn't a post about turkey and cranberry sauce.

It's a post about a season of thanksgiving.

I really have to say that for the better part of a week, I've been thinking often about how much stuff I have to do, all the housework to accomplish, all the grocery shopping to do, bills to pay, staying on track with my goals, keeping up with FlyLady, and everything else from Bible reading to ministry.

This is what I've come up with:

On Tuesday this week, I posted a status on Facebook that said

"I'm thankful today for a busy schedule, a messy kitchen, a to-do list that never ends, my job, my home businesses, and above all else - my husband. I'm thankful for all these things because it means that God has entrusted me with all these responsibilities."

Essentially, I was thinking that for all the grumbling, complaining, and whining that I do, and all the stress that is caused from my negative attitude, I could just obey Philippians 2:14 and deal with it with a smile on my face.

This is going to sound silly, but I've been watching 7th Heaven this week. Especially Season 4, episode 4. One of the main points is that Mary & Lucy want to have a bigger room in the attic, and do a small remodel to include a new bathroom and/ or closet. They suggest the church paying for it, and their mom says, "Have the two of you considered getting by with less, before you get greedy?" Sheepishly, they say no.


What I want to get through here is the point that in our home, we make daily sacrifices to have some small luxuries that some people don't even stop to consider.

For instance, we use coupons, sales and gift cards when we purchase nearly everything. And yet, people will see us in nice clothes, driving nice cars, and make the judgment that we're just spending money left and right. Not true. Additionally, we went through a season of life that God had us on our knees, asking for provision and care when I lost my job last October. What we found was that He wanted me home for some reason. I was able to do SO many things I hadn't been able to for years! (I've worked since I was not even 15 years old). I was able to catch up on rest, have coffee with a friend in the middle of the day, start couponing, teach piano, nanny and even organize the house more! I can't imagine what would have happened if God hadn't brought me home from a job that I really didn't enjoy and was constantly told that I wasn't good at. For the first week, I was hurt and confused and pretty much in a daze. But I got through it. My husband was extremely supportive, and it gave him the nudge to pick up more hours at his job and provide more for our family. We will both tell you that it was a privilege to go through that trial, because our marriage and our lives are so enriched and bettered by it!

Michelle Duggar says something that I love. "Any situation can make you bitter or better." We chose better.

After walking through our first year of marriage in a constant storm, we feel like we're more equipped to handle anything - within months saying goodbye to Robert's grandpa, my getting a new job and leaving where I'd been for 7 years, moving into a new, bigger home, saying goodbye to my best friend's brother, Brandon at 27 years old, my job loss and stresses at church - that was all between March and October of 2010! I tried to seek wise counsel in my friends, but none of them could even relate. Most of them raised their eyebrows, said, "Wow..." really quietly, and just hugged me. Those reactions led me to believe that God has been and continues to be providing a means for us to learn and grow so abundantly!

After all this thinking this week, several times I walked through the house thinking things like, "I'm thankful for a full linen closet, clean linens and an ironing board," or, "I'm thankful for our bed, our blankets and warm home," or even, "I'm so grateful that we have all that we do, because some people have next to nothing!"

I truly am so incredibly grateful for everything we have, everything we've worked for, and how blessed we are. I do not take anything for granted, and have been reminded this week to keep a humble attitude.

I want to encourage all my readers to see a messy kitchen or a pile of clothes to wash, dry and fold and be thankful, not stressed! It's so easy to be carried away in stress! I know, because I was hospitalized at 20 years old with heart problems because of it. That is no exaggeration. I keep the paperwork even still, because it reminds me of how completely stressed, stretched thin and tired I was.

During this upcoming month of November, I'd love to hear from all of you stories of thankfulness and reasons why.

I intend to share mine with you as much as possible. :)