Give Thanks

{Always}

{Chinook Pass}

Yesterday Rocky's car broke down. It's not an old car or one with hundreds of thousands of miles on it, but it broke. I've lost count over the past couple years how many things have broken down in our cars or around our house. Seriously too many to count. I came into the house after he told me ready to have a pity party, ready to grumble and complain. I sat down on the couch eager to give God a piece of my mind and I looked up to the chalkboard above our dining room table. There were the words I had just written last week....

Give Thanks

always

Oh, and how He transformed my heart in that moment. I have SO much to be thankful for. So for the rest of the day I thanked him. I thanked Him for having parents that are willing to help us out at a moment's notice. My dad ready to pull the car apart and tinker around, willing to tow the car wherever needed and willing to drive us across the mountains to Rocky's parents where they were willing to hand over the keys to their truck. Wow, are we blessed! Thankful for the most gorgeous drive across the pass where we got to see the snow and changing leaves and even sun off in the distance. Thankful for some quiet time in the car so that Rocky and I actually had a conversation and not just about what was on the agenda for the week. Thankful for a mother-in-law that dropped everything to make sure we were fed and well-stocked for the long drive back home. Thankful for milkshake treats to reward the kiddos for being such troopers. Thankful for amazing friends that pour into my kids and then keep one of them while we made this trek. Thankful that we came home to a warm house with beds to sleep in and food to eat. We are blessed and often it's too easy to look at what we don't have or the inconveniences we're dealing with and feel a little pouty. It only takes a moment though, to find the blessings. They are all around us and too numerous to count. As I'm writing this a prayer the kid's used to sing just came to me.....

Thank you Lord for giving me

my food, my friends and my family

The Lord is good to me!

So simple but so true!

Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

                                                                     1 Thessalonians 5:16-18