Providence
Two years ago, an elderly gentleman came to our door. He explained how he was connected to a family we knew before our move and gave us a copy of a sermon, plus he added a tip about the local food distributions he visits. As providence would have it, we later joined the daughter church of the one where the sermon originated. And I began to frequent these free food distributions since our income was so uncertain for the first year of my husband's graduate program.
Then, one year ago, I began my blogging experiment. After taking an unsuccessful stab at work-at-home assignments, I wondered if a blog would provide an outlet for ideas and other things I had to say--on my own terms. In some ways, I've been happy with the outcome. I enjoy having one "place" in the world where I can arrange things "just so", and they stay that way (unlike my carpet). On the other hand, going online can also be my guilty pleasure, as I tiptoe over to my laptop like Meg Ryan did in "You've Got Mail." My oldest daughter calls me on it too. "Why do you like working on your computer so much?", she inquires. Why? Well, it's complicated.
I appreciate SteadyMom's advice about limiting time online. Now to apply the wisdom is my daily challenge.
Thanksgiving
My husband and I strive to make a big deal about celebrating Thanksgiving, especially since the trend is to sweep this holiday aside. Halloween "advent" calendars are a ridiculous demonstration of how people are trying to supplant Christmas (and Thanksgiving) with something less significant. So when I came across the idea for a Thanksgiving countdown this week, I knew I must take it and make it our own.
As difficult as the last two years have been, I also realized recently that God has actually granted many of my longtime desires. I have an intelligent, diligent husband who takes his faith seriously. I've been blessed with three adorable children who are eager to learn about the world. We even have a tiny house that doesn't require a great deal of upkeep. Furthermore, for the first time in our adult lives, our residence includes a fairly spacious backyard for our outdoor play, and a bit of gardening. Our student loans are paid off in full. We have no car payments. And the list continues. God and the rest of the world owe me nothing, but I've been given so much.
And how about you? What desires has He graciously given to you?
6 comments:
Great post! Lots of good ones today. Thanks for the links, they are fantastic. And it's always wonderful to get encouragement from blogs that we read. Have a lovely weekend.
I will have to check out the links that you've left! God has given me the wonderful opportunity to stay at home with our children instead of working outside the home!
~Tricia
What encouraging words you have this week. Thank you for sharing. I am thankful that through all these years God has provided for my family... even when my husband was out of work, we had two children, and a third one on the way. He is so faithful. I love being an at home mom, and I am thankful for the roof over our heads and the food on our table.
Have a blessed weekend!
Melissa
Thanks for the thoughtful words....they make you think..which is a good thing at this point in my life...with my kids they seem to consume all my thinking!
I love the Thanksgiving countdown calendar idea! I may just have to make one!
I really loved this post and was so in need of it this evening. In a nutshell, I prayed for some stability in our family. Being an Army family means a lot of change a lot of the time. The Lord provided THREE YEARS of stability for us. No deployments. We have been able to guide our family in the direction the Lord is asking us to and my husband has been able to build strong relationships with the kids!
We are enjoying our preperations for Thanksgiving. I love this time of year. I read the link you left about computer time. I am seriously working on my time spent on the computer. I hope that you have a great week!!! I always look forward to your weekly craft:)
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