Thankful.

This past weekend in church the message was focused around 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.  The basic premise was to be joyful always, pray continuously and be thankful in all circumstances.

This Thanksgiving is very different for our little family of three, simply because we are a family of three.  I am obviously very thankful for our family, friends, home, jobs, marriage, church, etc., but this message really spoke to me on a different level.  

I am more than thankful for the blessing that Sawyer has been in our lives.  She has taught me so much.  

She is joyful ALWAYS.  And has brought so much joy to my life.  No matter what kind of day I have had, or haven't had, her sweet smiles and silly giggle bring me joy.  The message was not to be taken literal, as in be in a wonderful, peppy mood at all times; but, be joyful and comforted in that Jesus died for us and is there for us no matter the situation.  I need to remember that more often - I am not alone.

 Last weekend when we picked her up from the nursery at church the lady told us, "She is just her own little party."  

 Perfectly sums her up. Joyful always.

Prayer is a part of my faith that could use some major improvement.  When the topic of praying continuously was brought up in church, the Pastor talked about not necessarily continuously taking part in the act of prayer 24/7, but being aware of God's presence, being THANKFUL for blessings and continuously, not just during the Thanksgiving season, recognizing God's hand in all those blessings.

Sawyer has forced me to be much more aware of all of the blessings in my life and not take the small things for granted.  If she can get beyond excited about having peas on her tray for dinner, surely I can have a more positive outlook on the things in my life that tend to bring me down.  Surely I can focus more on the fact that I have a job and a car, and less on the commute.  Surely I can focus on the fact that I have a closet full of clothes, and less on having "nothing to wear."  

And, surely I can thank God more for blessing me with Barry and Sawyer and continuously pray for our future.

Being thankful in all circumstances has sometimes been a challenge during the first year of being a parent; again, not to be taken literal, but a charge to change your perspective.  

Of course it is difficult to be thankful to be awoken by a screaming baby at 3 AM, but how amazing is it that I had a screaming baby that I had prayed for for so long to wake me up at 3 AM?  That is what I have to remember.  

Of course there have also been plenty of times that being thankful has not been so difficult, her first smile, first steps and, of course, I am thankful for her fantastic dance moves that provide never ending entertainment.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!