~ Time to Reflect ~

I came across some pictures on my computer and thought I would post a particular one from last year at this time. Not only during Thanksgiving, but all through the year I am so very thankful for the many things that my dear God has blessed me with. I continue to be amazed by how wonderful our Lord and Savior is to us and our lives. I am so thankful that I am living life and enjoying all of the wonderous things that God created. If we didn't have the winter weather then we would never be able to experience the beauty that the snow brings.... the building of the snowmen and the fun snowball fights. If we didn't have the warm weather we would never be able to see the bright colors and the flowers grow nor hear the birds sing a pretty song, if we didn't have the rain then our flowers would never have a drink and if we didn't have fall then we would never see the beauty in the leaves changing colors. I can truly be happy and thankful for every single season that we get to experience here in Ohio. I truly appreciate all of God's beauty.

I am thankful for the food that God has given me and the time that I get to spend with family during the holidays. We may not have tons of money, but we have the love of our family and the time we get to spend with them and to me there is definitely no price tag for that.

Thanksgiving time is indeed a time to reflect on things you are thankful for, but why no be thankful year around? I don't know about you, but I am thankful year around for all of my blessings (big and small) and I couldn't be happier that we get to celebrate this time with family and friends.

Many years ago, I never thought it would be possible to have a child. To experience what carrying a child would be like, to feel those movements in my belly, to experience the kicks, the sleepless nights and to experience the beautiful moment of my child being born into this world. I definitely NEVER took these moments for granted. After years of trying to conceive and going through so much in order to have this beautiful little boy.... I was blessed beyond my wildest imagination. I prayed for so long and hard that I would be blessed with a child that was happy, healthy and (I am sorry, but had to throw it in) had his Daddy's blue eyes. Well, I received all of that and so much more in Cameron. God sent me happiness, unconditional love, compassion, laughter, energy and so much more into my life. I have this little guy that has brought so much into my world and my husbands world. He is my bright star in my dark sky, my sunshine during a cloudy day and the love and life that I waited on for what seems to be forever. Don't get me wrong.... I was blessed before, but God continues to richly bless me and our family and I am not sure that I have enough words to express my gratitude.

So, on Thanksgiving Day and year around are you sure that you thank your Heavenly Father for all of the blessings that he has given you? Can you honestly say that you are thankful for those big and small things? If you find yourself not being thankful for absolutely everything that he has given to you then I ask that you take a moment to reflect on how and why you are in this area in your life. Take a moment and spend it with God and thank him for all of those wonderful things. I know it may be difficult to thank him for the hard times that you have gone through, but in the end, don't you learn something from it? Does it make you stronger? Does it bring you closer to God, your husband or wife? If you answer "yes" to any of those questions then you have to say that you are thankful for it..... right? To be honest with you..... I can't say that I was thankful that I lost a child back in 2004, but I can honestly say now 4 years and 9 months later that it brought me closer to God, closer to my husband and it made us alot stronger and for that I am thankful. It was the hardest moment that I ever had to endure, but as I reflect on that year, that day, that exact moment, I can say that God indeed had a purpose behind it and even though we may not know it at the time...... it is eventually revealed to us in one way or another.

So, as Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching, I ask that you take a moment and spend it with God and thank him for all of your wonderful blessings. I am sure he will be THANKFUL for the time that you spend with him. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families......be safe!!

This picture was taken last year at this time. You can see that he was thankful for the cool whip on the pumpkin pie : ) ~ Hugs to you All ~