I’m heading out for a few days of rest and relaxation with my amazing family, but before I head out for this very important holiday and much needed week of unplugging, I thought I would write about a few things I’m grateful for.
- My AMAZING husband.
We’ve been through thick and thin (literally when you consider his 100 pound weight loss;) and after almost 24 years, 3 children, job losses, poverty, major moves, illness, too many ER visits with kids to count . . . you name it . . I am STILL so grateful that YOU are the one I get to do my life with. You are my true partner and my best friend.
- Our three amazing young men.
It’s hard for me to believe that you are all growing up so fast. I love you, of course, but even better I truly like you. You are EXCELLENT human beings and I am extremely blessed that God chose me to be your mom.
- My job. I am one of the few who gets to live their passion and their calling as a vocation. I’m not sure who said it, but when you can’t tell the difference between your work and your play you have found your true calling. That is how I feel about how I get to spend the work hours of my week. The people there are my family and after years of working jobs I hated, I promise NEVER to take it for granted. Oh, and it’s Irving Bible Church if you’ve ever wondered. It’s truly a miraculous place!
- Running. Yeah, you knew that was going to be in there, right? I am grateful for the way my body works and that I have a daily stress reliever where I get to feel like a super hero, connect with my true self, pray, sometimes cry, and always be in awe of how God designed us. And bonus? It’s connected me with unbelievably kind and encouraging people all over the world who laugh, cry and enjoy this sport with me. Such a blessing!!
- Our amazing friends and family. We couldn’t do our life without you! I am blessed indeed to have many people who I consider family who are there for us and make up our village.
- And finally I am grateful for my God – my Creator, My Abba Father – and for the gift of his son, Jesus Christ. And the Holy Spirit that daily guides and cheers me. So yeah, the Trinity. All three parts. Father, Son and Holy Ghost. It is what defines everything else in my life and I am ever mindful that ALL that I have comes from the hand of God and not from my own doing.
This life I’m blessed to lead is not always easy. In fact, sometimes it’s downright exhausting. But I know that I’m following the path God has for me. I will rejoice this week and be grateful. And even if you feel that you have nothing to be grateful for, I promise, you do. As Brene Brown says, we need to PRACTICE gratitude – which means we frequently WON’T feel like it. But I hope you’ll look around today and see what you can find to say thank you for.
And if you truly can’t find anything then go to itunes and download just four songs from my amazing friend, Sara Taylor here. Her songs will lift your spirit and help you refocus your heart.
I hope you all have an amazing Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends!! And those of you “turkey trotting” have a blast! I can’t wait to hear all about it when I get back!
Happy Running!
Jen
PS To Max and Gretchen, our Amazing Great Pyrs, I really do love you. I promise to put you on next year’s list. Because you really are wonderful. I hope by ending the post with your pic I have redeemed myself.:)