My Greatest Gratitude Comes From The Years Our Family Was Without

As we all go about our day today I am reminded of all the years I prayed for what I have now and can't help but smile being absolutely thankful for those years without.

BEING MORE APPRECIATIVE BECAUSE OF YOUR PAST

I've always read that you're often more appreciative of the good in life when you know all about the bad.  I wouldn't say I had a bad life growing up many years it was just momma and me.  I have told you before I grew up without much but I always had momma's love and she worked hard for what we had.   I remember a few holidays we prayed to be invited to friends' homes because we weren't going to have a Thanksgiving of our own.

I know that you are not supposed to be envious of others but I was.  I watched my friends and their families celebrate together and I didn't have that.  I did have a momma who loved me more than her own life but I wanted the big table and the loud crazy laughter and the chaos and I wanted the mess after everyone went home.

I always loved that they thought of me as part of the family but goodness I wanted my very own family.  Fast forward 30-plus years and I'm living the life that I hit my knees and prayed for in a mighty way.  I smile as I prepare to cook a Thanksgiving meal for my family in our humble home.  A home that welcomes my children's friends and all of our family.  I giggle in excitement thinking about getting the kiddos ready to go and how I get to hug the necks of my family today.

SOMETIMES IT'S OK TO LOOK BACK

I know we're often told not to look back but doing so helps me to realize how far the Lord has brought me in my life and all the prayers he has answered with yes, no, and wait.  I will be the first to tell you the wait in my life was well worth it all.

So this beautiful Thanksgiving day in 2022 I will say, I am so grateful for all those years I without.  It has made me realize how much more everything means.  It has also made me a bit more sensitive to those who are going through all the same things I went through and made me want to be an advocate for them in the coming years.

John 13:7 says "You may not understand what I am doing now, but someday you will."

May you each be blessed this holiday season no matter where you are in life.  I pray the Lord sustains you and keeps you.

From our home to yours HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL~