Thanksgiving

God is continuing to work on my heart in terms of giving thanks to Him. My step-mom would often call me "ungrateful" when I was younger. Most of the time I didn't care when she said it (to my shame). But as my heart is informed by Scripture, I am starting to call myself ungrateful. How often are two things mentioned beside thanksgiving in Scripture: prayer and obedience. I feel that I cannot grow well in these two areas without first addressing my lack of thankfulness towards my Savior. Even though I could maintain (perhaps) a general demeanor of gratitude based on my desire to serve the Lord, etc. ( This is by the way, the excuse my husband uses when he takes his first bite of a meal before we have prayed. "I maintain a constant state of thankfulness", I believe is a direct quote.) , it is still mandated in Scripture to pray with thanksgiving, most often when we are commanded to pray without ceasing. I know that kind of thanksgiving (as well as that kind of prayer) doesn't just happen. It requires cultivation. Am I pursuing thankfulness the way I pursue other things of the Lord? I certainly want to grow in this area.

Brevity

Today I turn twenty five years old. In about two hours...so technically I am not quite a quarter of a century old yet. Unexpectedly, my husband arranged for my mother-in-law to take the kids until tomorrow night. I am thrilled to have some time alone, with no demands...except for from our brand new puppy, Belle. How will I spend the time? Again, the answer I expected has not come. Last night as I fell asleep (which didn't take long after an evening of Dutch Blitz and maragritas with some friends), I contemplated the time and how I had so many little hobbies and projects that I wanted to spend my day enjoying. This morning as I was wiping down the counter, God arrested my heart. You see, last night on the way home from dropping off the kids, JM and I listened to a message by John Piper about Adoniram Judson. This man's life was wrent with tragedy, yet he persevered and served the Lord until the day he died. Consequently, there has been much reaping from his work in India...I would encourage you to research this man's life and death. Piper argues that Judon's unwavering belief in the sovereignty of God was fundamental in his ability to cope with the excessive death and destruction that surrounded his life. As I wiped down my countertop, the same sovereign God spoke to my heart and reminded me that he had also ordered my life. He had chosen for me to hear that message last night on the way home from leaving my kids with my mom-in-law. He had granted me this "free" time today. Had I even asked Him what to do with it? Or had I selfishly made my own comfortable, enjoyable plans...after all, it's my bi

Its Official...

I am now Aunt Taylor...hmm, maybe I need a nickname. Anyway, her name is Amelia Suzanne Battaglia and she is almost two days old!