On Begging God and Giving Thanks

I begged God for my children.

I petitioned. . .contended. . .and pleaded with him to let me be a mom.

I knew in my heart that my being a mom was part of his plan for my life and the asking and believing was as well.

Here they are. . .my two beautiful miracles. Well worth the work {of said begging and pleading} and the wait.

But just like every mom, I have hard days. Because let’s face it. . .no matter the process by which you came to be one, being a mom is just.plain.hard.

Having walked through a process of intently asking God to allow me the privilege of being a mom, I often feel guilty on the hard days. How could someone who wanted so badly to be a mother, dare complain when it gets uncomfortable? I feel ungrateful and undeserved of these beautiful blessings.

This week as we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, much like everyone else, my heart and mind are focused on ways I can express gratitude for all of the amazing blessings in my life. There are too many to count. Truly. Most of all, these children that I fought for.

The thing about gratitude is. . .it often lies beneath layers of life in our heart. I’m learning to purposefully peel back those layers to get to a heart of gratitude. It’s not that I am not thankful for my children. God knows that. It’s just that the reality of life often piles on top of my thankful heart, causing me to abandon my thanksgiving and embrace an attitude of overwhelming stress. It’s a shame really. But I don’t have to be ashamed.

Instead of allowing guilt to rob me this week, I am making an effort to peel back those layers. To stop and focus my mind on all of the things I have to be thankful for. My husband and I will involve the children in this process because their hearts too often get piled upon with life and wants and messages of selfishness. We will help them peel back those layers this week to uncover their heart of thanksgiving.

Whether we beg God for something or it comes to us in effortless provision, our gratitude should be the same. . .because “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” {James 1:17 NIV}

What have you begged God for in your life? Do you sometimes feel ungrateful because you’ve allowed the stress of life to overshadow the miracle of his provision? How can you peel back those layers this week?

Happy Thanksgiving Friends! Dr. Rupe and I are so thankful for this community of moms and moms-to-be who desire to encourage and uplift one another. Blessings to you and your families this week!