Tales of a Thankful Mom

        My #Oneword365 for 2020 was shalom. I  had no idea at the beginning of 2020 how much I would need shalom this year. As I have been focusing on shalom, I realized that shalom does not come in being passive. If I just let my thoughts freely flow than many times my thoughts will not be peaceful. I need to chose to Trust God , and *I need to chose to be thankful. I need to chose daily to lay down things at Jesus' feet that I struggle with wanting to carry on my own. Shalom may mean focusing on the peace that comes from God even when everything else in life does not seem peaceful.  It mean choosing to give someone the benefit of the doubt, or not worrying so much what other people think or me.  Shalom is found in forgiving others because I have been forgiven so much by God.  I have learned that Shalom means running to the Prince of Peace instead of trying to find cheap imposters for peace. As we reach the conclusion of 2020, may I remember thes...

Romans 11:33-36 Oh ,   the   depth   of   the   riches   and   s wisdom   and   knowledge   of   God !   t How   unsearchable   are   his   judgments   and   how   inscrutable   his   ways ! 34    “ For   u who   has   known   the   mind   of   the   Lord , or   v who   has   been   his   counselor ? ” 35    “ Or   w who   has   given   a   gift   to   him that   he   might   be   repaid ? ” 36  For   x from   him   and   through   him   and   to   him   are   all   things .   y To   him   be   glory   forever .   Amen .           The fact that the glory of God is beyond my comprehension is what I thought of when ...

           There have been times in my life where the presence of a, oved one gave me hope. I also remember times where I handled situations with more grace because a friend was there, and I didn't want to fall apart in front of a friend. The day that this happened, I was thinking about the situation and wondered how my reactions to the messes and interruptions would be different if I remember that God has promised that He is with me. Because I have the promise of God's presence, I can offer the gift of presence to others that God has put in my life. This December I want to put my phone away and be unplugged with my children and family. Who do you want to be present with during this season of advent?