A PAUSE FOR GRATITUDE - VOL. 02

Sitting in my cozy space that overlooks the front yard. Craving the springtime when I can plant little flowers around the tree outside my window. Reflecting on some personal thoughts from this week.

Grateful for this week and the refreshment it’s brought with renewed rhythms and patterns made once again. It’s ever changing as we all adapt to new seasons of life. Slowly feeling new good habits formed with the kiddos again. Even though somehow sickness seems to keep some type of form in our home, we’ve hit a new norm. Our days have routines again. Even if there are late nights, I’m valuing sleep more. And getting pickier about what things I’m accomplishing outside of motherhood and it’s been so freeing. Thankful for the new practices that will be made this year. For the quiet joy of having a clean home. The sweet stillness of just letting the tasks sit for a bit while my boys and I rest and I read them stories - all cuddled together. Thankful for the the loveliest evenings this week with friends that were so needed. Thankful for my date with sweet Abby. Thankful for Calvin and how he cares so deeply. Thankful for warm delicious coffee as it’s below freezing outside.

Thankful that I get to continue to adjust to what life looks like in the season we’re in with two littles, the opportunity to shape their lives, sweet friendships that surround us, projects I desire to accomplish, one car, assess what my ultimate goals are, and make needed shifts. Making new commitments and removing the old. Tweaking once again what my ideal week looks like.

Thankful for new reading and memorizing goals. I’ve closed out commitments and picked up a new study and memorization plan. So thankful for those in my life who teach and invest - that help me reorient and create sweet habits. Thankful for my sweet mentor and dear friend Erin that I get to study with and learn with.

Thankful for how each phase of my life has allowed me to grow in thinking less of myself and more of Christ. For how I’ve grown and changed. Looking back at who I was thankful I’ve grown from being that person. Looking at who I am now and knowing the long way I have to go.

Thankful for my dear friend Jenny that reminded me that: Communion with the Lord isn’t in shifts. It’s a continual thread that’s woven throughout our day. It’s treasuring Him above all other things and it starts in our heart. Reminding that He is better than it all.

Thankful for her helpful reflective questions:

• Do we go to Him first?

• Are we willing to let something fall off the to do list for time with Him?

• What does the response of a hard situation tell us of the state of our heart?

• Do we consider: eat, do, and drink to the glory of God?

• Do we treat trials like opportunities?

In everything I do, it’s my hope to be a helpful resource for the things that matter most.

| Credits: Author & Photography - Jacintha Payne |