Twenty-One Days of Gratitude {Day 6}

On top of all of the stressors in my life, my niece was in a terrible accident last week and is in critical condition. To say I am heart-broken is an understatement. However, we can count our bruises or our blessings, and I choose to focus on the positive.

Today, I am thankful for:

1. Rest. In the midst of a wedding this weekend, I actually slept. I slept until noon on Saturday and until 11 yesterday. I did not even get dressed but spent my Sunday relaxing, catching up on my Bible reading.
2. My co-workers. I walked into a reception at work on Thursday and was hugged by one caring coworker who saw what my family is struggling with on Facebook. Another group of four called me over and thanked me for my work and cheered me on. A third offered to continue praying for me and my family. There are no words to express the gratitude I felt at being appreciated. I had to fight back tears but in a good way.
3. The hope of new beginnings. I attended the wedding of one of my former students on Saturday. It was beautiful and she was incredible. The ceremony was simple and Christ-filled, as it should be, and it reminded me that love and commitment do exist. There are people left who believe in vows and are dedicated to cherishing others above themselves. One thing the groom’s father said that really struck me was that God knows our needs and will send the right person at the right time to meet them. He does not want us to be alone.
4. I am grateful that I have former students who think enough of me to include me in important days like weddings. It makes me feel like I may have made a difference in some small way.

Twenty-One Days of Gratitude {Day 5}

Today, I am grateful for my tribe– all of the ones who I am near, but also the ones who are far but feel near.

Charlotte is my God-given mom. She was my mama’s best friend and has taken me and the kids in and adopted us as her own. She is my loving friend, my ally, and my travel partner. There is no one else I would rather be in a bar with than her.

S is my cousin who is more like a sister. Her daughters call me aunt. She is so kind and faithful— she is the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman.

I work with the most amazing group of women (and men)! The girls in my immediate department inspire me, challenge me, support me, push me to be better, and make me laugh every single day.

My best friends A and T are my sisters. They are my rocks– the rational to my emotional, the thoughtful to my impulsive. They are both reading THE BIBLE with me this year and are keeping me on track and challenging me to see scripture in a new light.

My oldest friend Shana is calm and dependable. We do not see each other as much as I would like, but she is always there for me, and I hope she feels the same.

K and I may as well be kin, we are so spiritually connected. We sense each other’s every emotion, good and bad. She is fun and exciting and sexy and gracious and ferociously loyal. I adore her joie de vivre.

J is my professional mentor and prayer warrior. Every word that comes from her spirit is worth gold. She has a keen eye and discerning mind. She keeps me from opening my heart and loving too freely, advocates for me even when I am not aware, and cheers me on from the sidelines.

M is loyal, passionate, and loving. She inspires me as a mom, daughter, and an educator. I am forever amazed at how she balances all of her responsibilities, always keeping her daughters first priority.

These are just a few.. more to come!

Love

Twenty-One Days of Gratitude {Day 1}

Over the past two months, I have been hit with a barrage of negativity in my life. I am currently healing from the slow death of a long-term relationship, the death of a close relative, and the death of my 17-year-old dog, Molly.  I am struggling. I would normally describe myself as resilient; however, I am really having a hard time getting my head clear and back in the game.

Enter faith, mindfulness, and the power of gratitude and prayer. God led me to these tools for a reason. It is time to put them to practice.

Today, I am grateful for:

1. My Children. M & J are the lights of my life. Being a single mom is hard, but I balance that with a demanding professional schedule. You know what, though? At least I have a job. I have a great job. I have advanced education and a supportive ex-husband. I also have two beautiful, healthy kids who are extremely bright, talented, funny, kind, empathetic, compassionate, and full of Jesus’ love and Holy Spirit. I can do this thing called life with them, even on the days when J wakes up cranky, makes me late for work following her tantrums, and I have to be 50 places at once.
2. My House. I live at a place I call Grace Land. It was a gift to me after my divorce. I am only renting but it feels like my forever home. It is peaceful there, a refuge from chaos and stress. A few minutes on my porch swing with a glass of wine or a Mason jar of sweet tea, and my soul is quickly refreshed.
3. DJ. I have met the most amazing man almost by accident. In December, I did a vision board for my “Year of Love.” I prayed over it and have it posted on my office wall for daily reflection. Of course, when I made it, my life was in a completely different direction than it is now. However, this man is everything that I prayed about– he is Southern, conservative, a Christian, from a similar family background, a great dad, he is calm and kind, and he is physically the man of my dreams. The best part is that he prays for me and for us. As my Uncle lay dying in his hospital room recently, this man drove 3.5 hours after work, met my family for the first time during a very difficult situation, and he slept in hospital chairs with me. He held me as I held my Uncle when he passed.  Then he took me home, fed me, and made me sleep. His strength has been my greatest gift.

“ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  (Jeremiah 29:11)

“I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” (Habakkuk 2:1-2)

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“The Well” and My Salvation Story {Part II}

I had a happy childhood, but it was dysfunctional by today’s standards. My parents were very good about spending quality time with us, though church was not always part of that time.

My mom absolutely made sure that we went to VBS every summer at Buford Grove Baptist Church, and I loved every second of it. They went all out, it was fun, and I learned so much about Jesus and The Bible.

When I was in second grade, my mom and Step-Dad began going to church every Sunday, and we went as a family. The children’s church was called “Rainbow Mountain” and was led by Mr. Eddie and Mrs. Betty Jean Conner. They are such wonderful people and now own a fabulous corn maze in the Jacksonville-area. Their time and dedication really changed my life, because I felt God’s pull on my heart during those worship services, especially singing “Just As I Am” before leaving.

One of my favorite memories was learning Psalm 23 and reciting it on the “Rainbow Mountain” stage. I was rewarded with a children’s church trip to Chuck-E-Cheese. I was so proud that I was able to commit the chapter to memory. On another Sunday, I won a football signed by members of the Florida Gators football team, because I brought the most visitors to church that day.

In third grade, my best friend Sunshine and I decided to sit in “big church” one Sunday, just for a change. On that day, I was saved. As the choir sang “Victory in Jesus” at the end of the sermon, I told Sunshine I wanted to go to the altar but was scared. She grabbed my hand and went with me, and I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. I will forever be indebted to her and Buford Grove for their commitment to sharing the gospel with children, because they did it so well, in a way that was beautiful and easy to understand.

My mom remained a member of Buford Grove until she moved closer to me when my son was born. However, when she died, I knew that her service had to be there. It was her church home. Their pastor and members were so kind and loving, hosting our family for a meal after her funeral. So, that precious place will always mean so much to me.

Sunshine and Me