All of the Thankful Things

‘Tis the season to be thankful, right? Thanksgiving can so easily be a road bump we barely notice as we speed on to Christmas. And that’s pretty much exactly what it used to be for me until I met Nick Jones. He LOVES Thanksgiving. He loves the food, the football, and I think he may even love the family time. 😉  When we had probably only even been dating a month and Thanksgiving was still months away, he invited me to to go home to Colorado with him (because that’s just how he rolled). I’m sure I made him wait a week or two (because that’s how I rolled) before I said yes. So five years ago, I went to Colorado for the very first time with my super cute boyfriend.

We were obviously super smitten because I even made us a road trip survival kit. 

It was my first time to really hang with the Jones fam. A sister and mom I had to win over! 

We explored the mountains and I joke now that we must have been pointing out our future home in this picture. 

Just a few weeks later, that super cute boyfriend asked me to be his wife and the rest is history. I’m so thankful for this man I get to call mine forever. And thankful that he knew so quickly that he wanted to be mine forever. 🙂

Three Thanksgivings later, we had a new guest. 

Being able to be this little guy’s mom is something I am beyond thankful for. Knowing that God has entrusted us with him is such a huge calling and we pray daily that we would be faithful in raising him to love the Lord and others deeply. And that we also have a TON of fun while doing just that. 

God has been so direct with me lately to really reflect on all of the things that I should be thankful for. It’s easy to spout off the really obvious things that I love about my life, but He is gently reminding me of the not so fun things in my life that I can also be grateful for… 

I am thankful for our move to Colorado. Even in the times when it’s incredibly hard to be away from my family and best friends, God has shown me new ways to rely on Him. 

I am thankful for difficult days. When I love to err on the side of life that says everything is fantastic all of the time, I am grateful for the days that I am brought to my knees in prayer because there just doesn’t seem to be any other option.

I am thankful for our ministry here. It’s not always easy because ministry never is, but God is constantly faithful in reaffirming our calling here.

I am thankful that God sent His Son to this world to die on the cross for me. That my sins would be reconciled and I would be able to forever live in relationship with Jesus Christ, both on this Earth and one day in Heaven. This decision doesn’t make life instantly rosy and perfect, but I am thankful for a God that loves me and walks through the yuck with me. That I don’t have to get it all together before I come to Him, but instead He meets me right in the mess. 

For all of these things, I am so beyond thankful.