As I sat down tonight, the house quiet, my arms stretched out across my growing belly, eyes closed, whispering words of thanks to my Abba, I began to go back. Back to the broken places that 2016 has held, back to the places of longing hope, and healing. To the places that feel fragile and tender even now as I remember them. I traveled all the way back down the road that has lead me here tonight.

The here that consists of a growing belly and active baby. The here that rejoices in his faithfulness, remembering how far we have come. The here that finds my face glittered with tears of gratitude and thanksgiving. The here that only knows today’s promises and not tomorrow’s. I long to savor this life. This beautiful life that moves all too quickly.

It is in moments of rest like this, when I feel most alive. I feel understood and known. Basking in the Father’s love and whispering my Eucharisteo song for His ears alone. What good and beautiful gifts He gives. My heart is filled with gratitude as the sun rises each morning. It would be enough for me to merely have breath, but He chooses to give me so much more. The blessings flow out in abundance. My mind can’t fully grasp it.

Last Thanksgiving season I was praising for the hard eucharisteo and this Thanksgiving the joy-filled.

This year I am especially grateful that there is POWER in the name of Jesus. And beyond that He delights when we call upon that power. I believe that He loves to display his glory before us and to watch his children revel in it as we share His goodness again and again.

He is good and worthy to be praised every year-all the time.

I’m thankful for the community that surrounds me. The community that loves and encourages me to refocus when I need it, and remember whose I am. The tribe who prays over me and celebrates the joys of life with me, as though my joy is their own.

I’m thankful for my husband. He breathes life over me, through his words and actions. He provides and protects what we have, in ways that bring me to my knees again and again. He isn’t intimidated by the journey, the drawing deeper still in his own life-he embraces it and welcomes my support.

 

As the tears begin to slip away again, I’ll leave this final thought for today:

Rest. Rest in His arms today, and tomorrow and always.

Whatever your heart is feeling this thanksgiving season, it’s valuable and cared for. No burden is too light that He doesn’t acknowledge it. He offers rest for you my friend. Tender, life-giving rest. Lay your burdens down at His feet, He has the power to change your weeping into dancing, your sorrow for joy and thanksgiving.

Press in and breathe deep. He is waiting for His beloved.

All photo credit goes to EM