Thankful Living

"No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18



Read that again. I read it and hear it like this, "no matter what, Reeda, be thankful in what you are going through. This is MY will for you! This is The Plan. You don't need to look for my will, you are walking in it." Wow! Maybe my hearing is not right, but still - wow. How much do I search and pray and think, "if only there was a billboard and on it I would love it if God would post directions, along with a detailed agenda. Wouldn't that be fantastic?
But, I guess that does away with the whole "choice/free will" thing He wants us to make and use. So, each day I am learning something new about God's love, patience, gentleness, grace, and mercy. I sometimes fall back into my whole "man on a throne" image I have held for so long. You know - the man just waiting for you to mess up so he can 'zap' you. From everything I am reading in the New Testament, my image does not depict God at all. I am so extremely grateful for that!

Let's catch up. My children are now 11 (almost 12), 10, and 6. I have two girls and a boy. This summer they were with their sister and her husband out of state. That was such a blessing - especially in light of everything that went on here this summer - and the kids had such a great time and even made new friends.
The kids are not unaware of their parents' issues - and what I am learning from them is so surprising and amazing. I am learning about trust, resiliency, and pure love. Watching them absorb and deal with the truth of our lives currently has been nothing short of a miracle straight from Jesus. They have asked questions, prayed, written, talked about, and cried at times - but have also readily embraced, forgiven, let the questions go, and have not been demanding or neurotic when issues have arisen again. Wow. That, my friends, is God at work. I am so thankful that I am blessed to see it.
What my kids are teaching me is how to actually let things go. How to completely trust God that He has all of this - and the future- covered. Most of all they are teaching me how to "stay in today". I am so, so thankful God blessed me with these kids.
My husband appears to be doing great. Spending lots of family time - initiated praying together again, not over focusing on what he can't control to the point of frustration, and also reaching out to others (even though I still have to keep a reign on my own expectations for him in this area - and recognize them for what they are my expectations). I know we both have far to go in this recovery process, but that is what it is - a process. Not a definite beginning - most likely never a complete ending except in death. So, I adopt the slogans and learn from the living examples that are my children - "Just for Today," and "keep it simple".
I love my family - even with all of our screw ups, hurts, imperfections, and warts. I love Jesus and am so thankful for what He is doing in my life to grow me and prepare me. I am so thankful for friends and family that help so often - in so many, many ways.
I am also thankful, that despite everything I consider a trouble or hurt in my marriage, that Jesus placed my husband in my life. Not only that, but that my husband loves Jesus and his family and is learning how to let go and live for today.
With Jesus' help and direction (even without that billboard) I press on - enjoying the sunshine in my life as well as the rain and storms.
Thank you, Jesus. I am content, expectantly waiting, and thankful.
Much love.