Thankful Thursday: A Testimony

I'm linking up with Jennifer for Thankful Thursday! There is always so much to be thankful for, and I think I say that every week. But it's true! This week, my thankful post is going to be more of a short testimony, if that's okay. 

A little backstory: I've been fighting off some post-partum depression since Zoey was born. She was a surprise baby, and it's been a little wild having another little one, along with two grandchildren close in age to her. Trying to juggle big kids and little kids is not easy, and I've been struggling more than I'd like to admit. I've been reading my Bible more lately, but my prayer life has been suffering - almost nonexistent. I think this has really enhanced my depression and anxiety.

So - Saturday, my sister and I went to a woman's conference at a church in town. I saw the advertisement for it on Wednesday and asked Ashlie if she wanted to go with me. We've never been to one before, so it was something new for us. My mom came as well, and we all sat together.

The last speaker of the day spoke on prayer - which is exactly what I needed to hear, and I knew it - but something she said stuck out at me for some reason. It wasn't that it was so incredibly insightful, but it was more of a visual that took root in my mind. I doodled in my notebook while she was talking. She likened prayer to a door - the door between us and God's presence. 

- my doodle -

I went home and didn't think much about it. That evening as I was preparing our children's church lesson, I sort of smiled when I saw that it was on prayer, too. And then the craft idea was to make a prayer door! I didn’t make any big connections then, just thought it was a little coincidence.

- Zeke's prayer door -

Sunday morning, when I got to church and settled into my Sunday School room, I picked up the bulletin that was left on my table, and there was a picture of a door with the words, "I am the door." I stared at it for a few seconds, realizing that God was trying to teach me something. I spoke to my husband about it on the way home from church, in sort of a "isn't this crazy?" kind of way. I told him that I needed to find out exactly what God was saying to me.

Monday morning, I opened my Bible to the next passage in my daily reading - Luke 13 - and this is the first thing I read:

The Narrow Door

22 Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?”

He replied, 24 “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. 25 When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.’

Immediately I realized what God was telling me. I was neglecting the relationship part of my salvation and focusing more on the service part. I was teaching Sunday School, directing Team Kid on Wednesdays, VBS director, children's church director...I was doing all the things, and for the right reasons, but I wasn't taking the time to pray, to listen, to grow in fellowship with God.

Knowing God is more important than anything else. Not just knowing who He is but knowing Him. And I have been ignoring that for a while now. Being busy serving, decorating the tables at church, planning lessons, organizing events - all of these things are good. But knowing God - that is even better. I'm reminded of the story of Mary and Martha. Martha was cooking and cleaning and hosting a group in her home - all good things. Mary was at the feet of Jesus, soaking in all Jesus had to offer - the better thing, the best thing.

I went to the living room and got on my knees and repented. I was flooded with a feeling of peace, and I have been making the conscious effort to talk to God more, to spend more time in prayer, to focus on that relationship, and I feel so much happier, lighter, and freer. God still speaks to us and shows us things if we are willing to pay attention.

That little testimony is why I'm thankful today! 

Thankful Thursday

I’m joining Jennifer again with Thankful Thursday! 

This week I’m thankful that I’m homeschooling Zeke. I started homeschooling when my 21-year-old daughter was 4! I’ve homeschooled at least one child every year since then. This year, I put my older three in public school and am left with just Zeke and Zoey at home. Zeke is doing My Fathers World kindergarten, and we just love it. It’s my third time going through this curriculum! I don’t know how long our homeschooling g journey will last - there are time I really consider putting him public school next year - but I’m thankful for the time I have with him now, and that I get to teach him to read! And I’m thankful for how well he is catching on! 

I’m also thankful that I am trying to do more toddler activities with Zoey. She’s so different from my other kids! She doesn’t get quite as engaged in these activities, and when’s finished she usually throws it all on the floor. But the more we do these, the more she likes them and the less mess she makes! 

I’m thankful for the relationship that Zeke and Zoey have. She just adores him, and he thinks she’s the greatest thing ever. They play really well together most of the time, and he’s very patient with her. The older she gets, the closer they get! She loves to hug him, kiss him, sit right beside him, and be involved in every little thing he does. I love how she says his name, too! 

I’m also thankful the weather has been really nice this week! We’ve gotten to spend a lot of time outside. 

I’m thankful my daughter and two grandkids are home! They’ve been visiting a lot and even spent the night last night. How fun to have grandkids and kids about the same age. 

Zoey got in the baby walker I pulled out for Mikenna!

They're all trying to watch an episode of something!

And there is so much more to be thankful for every day! 

Thankful Thursday

I'm linking up with Jennifer for Thankful Thursday this week!

Mercie turned 16 this week! She got her driver's license and has started driving her little brothers to school each day. It's nice having a driver here again! With Eli at college, I miss having someone that run around for me when I need them to!

Rod's grandfather turned 92 the same day as Mercie turned 16. We went up to his house and had cake and ice cream to celebrate. He's on hospice and doesn't have much longer in this life. Rod is thankful for the time he had with him, and I'm thankful that my kids have been able to get to know him.

I'm thankful for the nice weather we've been having. It makes such a difference being able to spend time outside with the two little ones during than day rather than being cooped up inside all the time. 

I'm thankful Zeke learned how to swing himself on the swings! He is so proud of himself and pushes himself to swing higher and higher each time.

I'm thankful that I've gotten a few days of pretty good sleep this week. Last week was awful with me unable to fall asleep or stay asleep! 

I'm thankful that Mikaela, Daniel, and Mikenna will be home this weekend. I've missed them so much this month that they've been in Virginia with her husband! He is a pipeliner, so he travels for work and she sometimes spends large chunks of time with him.

There is always so much to be thankful for, but I'm going to leave you with this verse: 

Linking up with Jennifer:

Thankful Thursday

I’m so thankful we didn’t lose power this week due to the winter storms we’ve had! We don’t get much snow and ice in Louisiana, so when we do our power usually goes out because of the ice accumulation on the power lines. This year we kept power through the whole thing! 

Silas made a mini snowman!

We had more ice than snow.

I’m thankful the kids have been out of school all week. It’s been nice to have them home, even though it’s been loud and chaotic and messy. They’ve been playing a game with a ping pong ball and the table all week!

I’m thankful I get to teach Zeke to read. He is the sixth child I’ve taught to read, and it’s such a wonderful feeling each time! 

I’m thankful we are all well and healthy since we were so sick last week. 

I’m also thankful for where we live. We live at the end of our very own dirt road, and we own land all around. Last Saturday I went to the deer stand with Rod. We didn’t see any deer, but we did see a beautiful sunset and tons of birds. I love birdwatching! 

I’m thankful that Rod was home all week this week. He cooked big breakfasts almost every morning, and he helped cook a lot of suppers too. I’m thankful that he is a hard worker. He and Mercie had to go break ice in the cow and horse troughs each morning and evening, and even though it was so cold, he never complained. 

How he wore shorts in this weather I’ll never know!

I’m also thankful that the cold weather forced me to stay home this week. It was nice to have an excuse to lay around, watch TV, play with the kids, and get some much needed rest and relaxation! 

Mercie and her boyfriend’s new puppy, Jack! We had to puppy sit one night for him. 

What are you thankful for? 

Linking up with Jennifer!