Giving Thanks

Ever have those moments where your heart is so full of gratitude that it's going to burst? I love those moments! Joseph and I started our day off with prayer as usual and it touched me so much to hear him pray sincerely for me in all that I juggle each day. Then he expressed to the Lord the sweetest expressions of gratitude and requests for blessings to be poured out upon me, that I might be strengthened, inspired, and know of God's love for me. Wow! I'm so grateful we have the kind of relationship where we so often pray openly for each other in this way. I can't think of a better habit to open and close every day  than for a couple to call upon the Lord in a Spirit of gratitude and prayers of blessings for each other!

After the prayer, I threw my arms around Joseph thanking him for his thoughtfulness and love. We then had a wonderful 45 minute conversation about all of our kids and our gratitude for them and their individual personalities. It was so fun to share with one another the unique strengths we are watching each one of them grow into, seeing each day a little more where their big mission in life might be. They are all good, very good kids.... We are recognizing that more and more now as we watch them develop. Of course they are exploring, trying to figure out their beliefs, their values, trying to figure out their own testimonies of the Gospel. But it seems that each one of them have an underlining sense of who they are and who God is... even though it's not fully developed, they all have the right trajectory... besides, I think we all spend a life-time developing this and understanding our true spiritual identity and the nature of God.

We've had conversations like this before, conversations where we do nothing but focus on the good qualities of each one of our children. It's really a great practice!! Everyone should try it! Just stop for a moment and do more than think about good in others (especially your own family) but to actually verbalize it, to express it, and to most of all - write it down. It's liberating. It's refreshing. The power of words are amazing, especially when we use them to pray in faith, to speak blessings, and express sincere gratitude for God, our marriage, and our children.

I'm making a goal today to practice this kind of good communication more naturally and frequently in my life.

"Rejoice evermore.

Pray without ceasing.

In every thing give thanks: 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Quench not the Spirit."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19