Thankful Thursday

|


This week has been a little bit different than we had originally planned. You see, due to the swine flu, our school district cancelled classes for the entire week. Admittedly, I was a bit “put out” when I learned last week this decision had been made. It messed with my schedule. As I have admitted before, I don’t do well when my schedule is interrupted. Something I am working on, but I it is an on-going thing for me right now.

I strongly suspect God used this event to get a message across to me. And, thankfully, He worked quickly and went straight to my heart. Before that day ended, I realized this actually gave us more time instead of taking it away. I realized there would be extra time with the kids. I realized we would have evenings where we didn’t have to worry about homework. I realized there would be a few evenings where we didn’t have to keep on top of the bedtime schedule quite so closely. Yes, there were many things for which to be thankful in this whole turn of events.

I am so thankful that God is working on my heart in this area and that He can so quickly take something I view as a negative and turn in into such a TERRIFIC positive!

______________________________________________________

Since we're coming up on Mother's Day, I want to make sure I share my thankfulness for my own Mother. She raised me to love the Lord and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she has prayed for me since the day I was born. Without her, I would not be the person I am today. While we didn't always get along the greatest as I was growing up (read this as -- I was a bit, hmmm... well, difficult as a teenager), we have a great relationship today. I'm not even sure we would have this relationship if it had not been for some of those difficult moments. I know for me, she taught me about unconditional love as we experienced those moments together. She showed me how another human being could love me regardless of what I did or what I said or what choices I made. I love you, Mom!

______________________________________________________

I am so thankful to be experiencing the gift of motherhood myself. I can't imagine doing anything else with my life right now. Yes, I'm tired. Yes, some days I'm not sure what is the best to do for my children. Yes, some days I don't know what to do but pray and pray and then pray some more. BUT, there are many more days that are filled with laughter and silliness and hugs and kisses and so many, many good things as my husband and I raise our children. What a gift!



For more Thankful Thursday posts, visit Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage".



20 Thoughts Shared:

Denise said...

May you, and your dear mother be sweetly blessed on Mothers day and always. I love you my friend.

Erica said...

So very precious!
I love your authenticity!

Pia said...

may God shower His blessings upon you and your mom. may He keep you and your family safe always. happy TT.

Beth E. said...

I'm glad you had a week to spend with your children. Believe me, they grow up waaaay too fast!

I have a wonderful relationship with my mother, too. I'll be visiting with her on Friday, as she will be out of town on Mother's Day.

Hope you have a blessed Mother's Day, Melanie!

Hugs,
Beth

Grammy said...

Happy mothers day Melanie! I am so glad your family did not get the flue. So it was good the school was closed. You and your mom are wonderful parents.

Rocks said...

Enjoy the gift of motherhood my dear :) I'm sure with the Lord's guidance, you are raiisng up good children.

Melissa said...

Praise God for all the blessings that He has given you! Thank you for sharing on Thankful Thursday. :)

Jerralea said...

Since Mother's Day is coming up and we're all focusing on motherhood, you hit on something I think is important. You said your mom taught you about unconditional love. That is the quality I most admire and want to model to my children. We all need unconditonal love - we have it from the Father - we need it from family, too.

Joyfull said...

I understand how easy it is to get upset over having schedules messed up! I'm also glad that the Lord works with us and gives us His direction and help to embrace changes. Hope this week is a blessing to your family.

Laurie Ann said...

Awesome post all the way around, Melanie. Don't you just love it when God uses those moments to teach us? The process is painful but the Ah-ha! moment is so worth it. Your Mom sounds alot like mine. Happy early Mother's Day and Happy Thankful Thursday to you!

Anonymous said...

I can so relate! I also don't handle a change in schedule well. But I'm glad that it worked out better for you! Thanks for visiting my TT post, hope your day is great.

Unknown said...

Happy Mother's Day Melanie!

The ah-ha moments make life worth living for sure! Being a Mom is the greatest gift outside of HIS SON!

Love and hugs,
Jill

LisaShaw said...

I appreciated reading your thankful list and I know what you mean about not liking all the schedule shifts at any time. Sometimes I feel like asking for advance notice on everything in life but it's not like that is it?! God knows best.

Happy Mother's Day.

Lisa@BlessedwithGrace said...

Hi Melanie. I am glad that the swine flu gave you some special time, this week. I understand about liking to keep a schedule. Isn't it funny how we can get thrown by the kinks.
I enjoyed reading about your relationship with your motherhood. I too have a mother who prayed for me and lived her faith. I am so thankful for that.
Happy Mother's Day.

Stephanie said...

What a good reminder about being thankful no matter what the circumstances - there is always something to be thankful for.

It truly is a joy to be a mother. I am just in the beginning of motherhood and have to often remind myself that it is a joy when I'm tired, exhausted, overwhelmed. It is such a blessing that should never be overlooked or ignored. God is good!

Tammy said...

Thank you for sharing from your heart! I am thankful too when I catch on to what God is trying to teach me. Believe me at times I can be a tad bit too slow. Your mom sounds like a wonderful lady - great tribute to her! Enjoy the rest of your week & Happy Mother's Day to you!

bp said...

Happy Mother's Day to you friend. Hope you have a great weekend!

That is great God helped you see things in a different perspective. I'm like that too and not wanting my scheduled plans to change.

God bless,
Bethany

Genefaith said...

Sometimes God allows "interruptions" to make us mature.

You're blessed to be raised by a Godly mom and being a Godly mom yourself.

Happy Mother's day!


MIne is here:
1. TT-A MOM2. Thankful List

Anonymous said...

I love your attitude Melanie!!! You are so positive and have such a dear heart for the Lord! Hopefully the kids will be back to school soon! My cuz lives in the Fort Worth area, and was one of the many schools that DID NOT close!
Happy MOther's Day to you! Motherhood is truly a blessing!
Sandy @ Jesus and Dark Chocolate

Sab said...

Aw! I'm the same when it comes to an interrupted schedule... difficult for me. Although getting better, too... slowly. And isn't being a mom great? This is my first mother's day as a mom!

Happy Mother's Day to you!