Thankful :: May 2014 Edition

This month's thankful post is so needed. It has been a rough month. Today I'll spare you a photo of our AC unit that went out again.  I'll spare you photos (that don't actually exist) of Crosbi in time-out or throwing major tantrums and behaving in ways that make both of us cry. Life can be hard. Raising kids is hard. Dealing with finances (or lack thereof) is hard. Watching friends lose loved ones is so, very hard and this month we have felt the pain of all of these things.

With BSF over for the year, I have started a She Reads Truth study. The ladies that write the devotionals are anointed for sure. I'm not doing the current study. I decided to go back and study 1 and 2 Peter and it has been just what I need (I love when God does that). Today in my quiet time my mind began to wander and I began to feel sorry for myself. I was bummed that we may have to cancel our beach vacation to pay for home repairs. I was feeling like a horrible mom because I'm ready for Crosbi to be back in preschool. I should enjoy every day spent with her, right? I was frustrated and questioning God's goodness. Why is cancer allowed to steal and destroy?

One line in my devotional really spoke to me: "If Christ himself couldn't escape persecution on earth, who are we to think we should?" 

For context, the scripture today was referring to how we are to treat those that speak and act harshly towards us. But I think we could replace the word persecution with sin or humanity. Christ couldn't escape the evil (sin) and hardships of this world, so why should we think we should? 

But the great news is that He overcame the world, and in Him we can find joy, even in the midst of struggle.

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world." John 16:33

One of the ways I find peace is by looking through the photos I have taken and reminding myself of the good. Because even in the dark, there is so much good. I have so much to be thankful for.

I'm thankful for sunny days and trips to the park.

For a girl who thinks McDonald's is just an "indoor park" that happens to have French fries.

For dinners outside. Nearly all of our meals in the summer are grilled. 

For zoo dates with these two.

For walks and flowers to pick on our neighborhood trail.

For a little girl who crawls in my bed and cuddles with her daddy.

For the chance to see my grandparents. I'm really blessed to have them. I know their trips will become fewer and far between, and I treasured the time with them.

For new tricycles and a little girl who was is already a pro rider!

For best friends and their babies. It is so fun watching our kiddos grow up together.

May definitely had its highs and lows, but I'm sure thankful for this life I live.

xoxo