thankful thursday 03
I haven't done one of these in a long time, but nowadays I have so much to be thankful for.
I am thankful for...
...discovering a different perspective. Like lying in closet, looking up and somehow finding beauty in the underside of a bunch of dress shirts. It's so easy to lose sight of the beauty of life. That's why I love little moments so dearly. They remind me to appreciate life and live it so much more fully
...new additions to my family and the anticipation of more to come in the future. Two new family members in less than a week really makes the growth of my family a reality. Before I know it, there will be another nephew and maybe more nephews/nieces and additions. I love it. It's so exciting!
...editing which somehow soothes my soul and brings a smile to my face. I never thought that I could love a job that wasn't architecture, but the more I edit and shoot, the more I realize I love it. I love editing. God's really given me the gift of this job. I feel the challenge of achieving a final product in these pictures that I used only feel when I problem-solved in architecture.
...public transportation which allows me to sleep, relax and reflect guilt free. Working for myself, I constantly feel the pressure of work. I know that if I don't work I don't make money, so I try to work as much as possible. When I'm at home and not working, I feel guilty for not taking advantage of my time. When I'm on public transportation and know I can't work on my computer, I feel the comfort of just relaxing and enjoying the sights.
...witnessing the birth of my niece. I've always loved the idea of being pregnant but feared labor. But seeing my niece born was the most beautiful thing I've ever witnessed. It makes the idea of myself giving birth that much less scary and so much more amazing. Birth is truly a miracle. I don't think I can ever look at babies the same again.
...winter and "ugly" weather. I love wearing coats and now I can without people asking me, "Meg, aren't you hot???" (I'm usually cold, but still, at least now I have a visible reason to wear a coat even though I still am wearing flip flops)
...the squeal of my nephew. It is the most joyful noise there is. I love to torment him by blowing raspberries on his tummy.
...5am. My most favorite time of day is just before the break of dawn. It's that moment when the world's silence slowly breaks free, and in the rising of the sun and changing of the smell of the air, you can tell the rest of world is awaking. I love the smell of the morning.
...unexpected surprises. God works in wonderful, mysterious ways. And I am so especially thankful for the woman He's challenging me to be.
...october 22, 2002. Eight years ago my life change in ways I could never imagine. Everything changed in a single moment. The initial aftermath of my experience was completely negative. I couldn’t find happiness no matter what I tried. I couldn’t trust anyone. For days my crying persisted. I felt ashamed, abandoned, lost, scared, hopeless.. But somehow, today, I am thankful for the experience. Not because of anything I did, but because of God. Only by His grace, I survived it. If it were not for God I may have never known true love the way I do now. I may have never been able to help others with similar experiences. I may have never had the realization that everyone is struggling, and we all need prayer, encouragement and support. I may have never realized that God can conquer all things. I may have never gained the strength I have now. My life would have been completely different. I would be completely different. And now, today I can honestly say I am a better person in spite of this negative experience. Through God's goodness I've found peace and meaning in my experience. And I am wholly experiencing the fulfillment of the God's promises from that day.
I couldn't be more happy.