12 Days of Christmas :: Needs

Day 4 :: I am grateful for God giving me what I need.

Most of the time God's timing does NOT make sense to me. I wanted to be a mom 2 years ago. I wanted to have Judah and Addise home by my birthday [we didn't even get our referral until 1 week after my birthday]. I wanted certain house projects done months ago. Blah blah blah...
Today I'm grateful that God gives me what I need more than what I want. We could have been good parents 2 years ago. Things could have been fine if we had our referral earlier. Our house could have been more organized and purged earlier. Whatever. But I'm acutely aware today that God knows what I can handle, what I most deeply need, and will graciously give that to me. Even if I'm kicking and screaming when he gives it to me. He's just that good of a God.

12 Days of Christmas :: Sanctuary

Day 3 :: I am grateful for our home.

We've worked really hard and intentionally about creative a safe place within the walls of our home. We really value HOME. As we've worked to transform our "married without kids" home into a borderline childproof house for 2 little ones, I've realized all the more how much I love our home. It's cozy. It's comfortable. It's safe. It's totally a reflection of who Brian and I are. It's a gift. It's nothing fancy or big, but it's definitely a space where I can walk in the front door, drop my bags, take a deep breath, and stay for a while.

Today I am grateful to bring Judah and Addise into that kind of home.

12 Days of Christmas :: My Calling

DAY 2 :: I am grateful for my calling and community.

I love my job at Newsong Church. I love who I get to work with. It's not a job so much as a calling, a place where I can bring my best and my worst. It's a place where my gifts are celebrated and explored and challenged. It's a place where I've grown considerably over the past 6+ years. It's a place I believe in so deeply because it's not just about who's "in", but it's more about who's "outside". It's a place the cares in word and action about the poor, widows, orphans, homeless, and the next generation. It's a place that embraces discomfort and pain and those who are different from you.

Today I am grateful that this place that I LOVE, also loves me as a pastor AND as a mom. I'm so grateful for the practical and generous ways they are gifting me with time away from my responsibilities in order to start off being a great mom. I'm grateful that the culture is one that values kids and will work with me to be an equally awesome pastor and mom. Indescribably grateful...