Thanksgiving is over but the gratitude doesn’t end.
Yet, where does one start? I could list all 1000 gifts right here and now… but not in five minutes.
There’s the usual (but not less important in the “normalness” of the thanks for which I feel for them)
Corban Tobias… “A Gift Devoted to God” “Pleasing to God” … and truly, he is a gift. Firstborn, we tackle all the challenges of life for the first time together. Every stage is new and he graciously walks me through. He is my comrade in the trenches… we’ve survived a lot together.
Hannah Moriah… “Favored” and “God is my teacher”… a delight of my life. My baby… she is a lover of all, knowing no boundaries on kindness or distinction among people. She laughs and loves easily. She is a ray of sunshine on any rainy day.
Elisabetta Marcela… “Pledged to God” and “Warlike”… these names came to her later in life… after her adoption. This part of our story and hers is one that continues to shape us today, as she comes to realize the reality of who her Savior is. Her intellect and insight make her a great challenge for any strategy game and a wonderful conversationalist. She brought balance to our family.
Matthew Angel… “Gift of God” and “Messenger of God”… also names given later through his adoption into our family… our oldest son. He has taught us much about our need for Jesus! Both in his unconditional generosity and forgiveness. He is easily the most resilient person I know. He stretches me to give more, love more, forgive quickly.
Then there’s my husband, Jeremy… “Appointed by God” and indeed, he is. He has moved his family across the world, and not without great prayer, deliberation, and wise instruction. He has stepped into the scary unknown, showing us his family what a man of faith looks like… he’s more than a fan of his Savior… he’s a follower.
I’m grateful for tears shed… which have become sources of comfort for those who tears now fall.
For inconveniences turned blessings in disguise.
For times of waiting that grew me up, trained me, stabilized me, prepared me for when the waiting ended.
Times of joy… of celebration and remembrance of all things beautiful and worthy of our memory and honor.
For friends who love desperately and radically… who love enough to send us away, to see God’s work fulfilled in us, in themselves.
For transparency and integrity.
For so much more than I can ever list here… for every experience, every grace, every mercy… every divine intervention.
For words and the ability to communicate them. For Lisa-Jo and her heart for supporting and loving other writers, other mommies, other women.
Blessed.