Be Thankful

Last week my faithful husband suggested I read Colossians.  It took me a few days, but I am.  I can't get past this:

Col 3: 12-17

¹² Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  
¹³ Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 
¹⁴ Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 
¹⁵ And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
¹⁶ Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

There is a lot of GOOD meat in these verses, but the two things that stand out to me is that God wants me to make allowances for peoples faults, to forgive like Christ forgave me, to clothe myself in love, and live in harmony.  In that, live in peace and always be thankful.  Then it tells me to sing songs to God with a thankful heart.

It's been an extremely stressful 1.5 weeks with sickness.  Well, it's been stressful for a long time.  But being trapped in a house for almost two weeks is rough.  However, these last two days, all I hear is the Holy Spirit telling me to, "Be Thankful in Everything."  I also need to keep remembering to make allowances for other peoples faults.  That thought is so key for me.

So, here I go... I am going to list things I'm thankful for.

1. Jadon is the Best Sick kid I've ever met.  I'm so thankful.  I would have cleaned up his puke without a second thought, but I am SO THANKFUL that he would only be sick in the toilet.  Both ends!  He has been independant, but also quick to ask me for help or snuggles.

2. Benjamin.  That little turkey is a blessing.  I'm amazed at how much he wants to be helpful.  Yesterday Jason was looking all over for the sandals he had just been wearing.  He couldn't find them!  He had the thought to ask Ben where they were.  Ben led him into their bedroom.  He had put his dad shoes up with their shoes.  It was cute.

3. We have a warm home.  We have beds and sheets for all of us. Food to fill our bellies.  Cold and warm water to clean our dishes.  A washing machine/dryer to wash our clothes.  A beautiful Christmas tree with ornaments full of memories.

4.  All of my kids take medicine very well.

5. I really like losing weight.  I think my 14's are big on me now.

6. God has never given up on me.  He sees my heart even when I'm trapped in the darkness of depression and, what feels like, a form of insanity as I juggle my anxieties.

7. Ronnie and Kim have really been great.  He's been a blessing to our family and household.

8.  A dog who is learning to snuggle with the boys.

9.  A vacation that's 2 weeks away!  I get to see people I love!  (Please, Lord, don't let sickness deter that.)

10. God has chosen life for me even when my depression, and lies of the enemy, would have chosen death (whether in body, mind, or spirit.)  I don't understand my purpose in this earth, but I clearly have one.

11. Jason.  He's a gift.  He's shown me the Love of God in a way I could never fathom.  He serves me.  He serves our children.  He serves his job.  He serves the household.  He tries, with all his might, to always do the right thing in God's eyes.  He loves me even when I'm not lovable.

12.  Our van is running.  A door may be broken (boo), but the other one isn't.

13.  I'm thankful for nature.  I can't wait to see it in TWO WEEKS!!!!

14. All 3 boys have napped so well during the last 2 weeks of sickness. 

15. Our boys are all healthy in mind and usually in body.

16. Joshua has been stretching us so much lately with attitudes.  I have moments I wonder if we can ever reach him.  Then, I have moments like today, when he was laying on the couch about to take a nap when he gave me a heart felt apology for his earlier behavior.  It gives me hope all of us will get past this hard season with open hearts.

17. I like peoples court. :)