Thankful Heart

Looking back over the third week of February - taking time to express my thanks for the little and the big, the joyful and the difficult ...

These words, read one morning, shortly before some difficult news from a family member over the phone ... reminders from God, just in time for when we need them:

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,

and there are no grapes on the vines;

even though the olive crop fails

and the fields lie empty and barren;

even though the flocks die in the fields,

and the cattle barns are empty,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord!

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!"

(Habakkuk 3:17-18)

And the same day - news of answered prayer from another loved one, so amazing! Full of thanks! And thankful for God holding this mother heart together through tears of joy and tears of sorrow.

Time with these two sweet grandsons one morning, helping their mom out - thankful to be able to spend time with them.

Refreshed by books - reading through Draw the Circle during these days leading up to Easter, and also reading through Multiply with our staff team.

Our Staff Team meeting mid-week - thankful for them and for God at work through Cru High - Omaha.

An afternoon with these two grandkids on a "snow day", helping their mom out - and listening to their happy chatter.

A short, but very wonderful phone call - from a son in Dutch Harbor, Alaska - so thankful to be able to hear from him amidst his fish processing job in the Bering Sea.

Great progress on a baby quilt making project - love how it is turning out.

Time for planning/organizing - something I love to do.

Strength received amidst a very full week, and this reminder ...

"And let us run with endurance

the race God has set before us.

We do this by

keeping our eyes on Jesus,

the champion who initiates 

and perfects our faith."

(Hebrews 12:1b-2)