My Grateful Heart

"Give thanks in everything."  ~1 Thessalonians 5:18

At the end of a long day, when the week is dragging on, giving thanks can be a rejuvenating exercise.  Rather than focus on the negatives of the day, which is so draining, why not end a day with thanks?  

Here are my Grateful Heart mementos from today.  What are yours?

~For my sweet daughter, her amazing flexibilty, and the way she loves school so much.  Two different family friends have helped me by taking her to school this week while I'm at work and our babysitter cares for E-Bear in his cast.   G-Bear has taken the change of routine perfectly in stride.  Every morning, she wakes up hoping that it is a school day.  Today she was so excited to bring Halloween treats to share with her classmates.  When she returned from school with a bag full of candy from the class party, she was so eager to show E-Bear and share it all with him.  Thank you, Lord, for G-Bear.

~For dear E-Bear, who remains happy and playful despite his cast.  Tonight we tried a bath for the first time in his cast, and while he didn't love it, he was a good sport, holding his leg in the air while I sponged him off and scrubbed his hair.   Tonight as he and G-Bear played with her candy on the couch, my heart melted how they delighted in showing each other the "treasures."  He licked his lollypop treat with such enthusiasm after dinner.  May my heart be as thankful for the little blessings of everyday.  Thank you, Lord, for E-Bear.

~For my wonderful T, who never complains when dinner doesn't turn out well and remains ever patient at bedtime (even when I feel frazzled).  He stays up late with me as I study and lets me keep sleeping in the morning as he gets ready for work.  I still think about him all day, whether I am at work or at home.  I am the most blessed woman in the world to be married to T.

~For the chance to study dermatology with great doctors this period, for mentors who invest in T & in me, for all the friends who have helped us get through this week with E-Bear being hurt.  For the Amazing Miss R who loves my kiddos and takes all their up & downs in stride.  We are surrounded by others who have generously blessed us.  

The rest of the day just seems to melt away, doesn't it?

Time to crawl into bed.....

......with a grateful heart.