So much to be thankful for...

Happy Thanksgiving to all you Canadians at home and abroad! This past weekend was a truly special one with much to be thankful for indeed.

The weather was like summer weather after having had a cold snap a week ago... we were in short sleeves and shorts enjoying the sunshine and warmth (perplexed that those in Saskatchewan had quite the snowfall!!). We had a wonderful family stroll in the park by the lake with the kids Thanksgiving Monday, my dad joined the 5 of us which was great (it's always a treat to have my parents and grandmother visiting!). The kids were loving exploring as we walked on the boardwalk and path by the water... checking out the geese and ducks, the holes in the trees, wondering who might live there, hiking up the little trails that shoot off from the main one, stopping to observe the slow movements of a snail on a leaf (I'm still amazed that my daughter even noticed it - calling us back to admire what we had so blatantly missed!), testing our balance by walking on the edge of the boardwalk one foot in front of the other (where it was grassy and just a step below, so falling wouldn't have been a big deal!) A short play time at the park on our way by...

By far the highlight of our weekend was Sunday. We had our baby girl's dedication at church. We were joined by a good number of friends and family as we followed in the footsteps of Mary and Joseph when they went to dedicate Jesus to the Lord in the temple when He was but a babe.

I think that recognizing that our children are gifts from God, and then giving them back to Him, essentially acknowledging that we NEED His help and wisdom to raise them, is the most important thing that we can do as parents. A few verses resonate in my head...

"For you [God] created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13

An amazing reminder that we are miraculously created by God in the womb! That my children were created BY GOD, in MY WOMB. I'm thankful for these gifts from God! What a miracle.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Thank God that I don't have to rely on my own smarts and know-how! I'm hugely lacking in the child-rearing expertise in particular!

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." James 1:5-6

Okay, so I could have ignored vs.6 - the don't doubt part... but it's in there! I'm just thankful that I can come to God with confidence, admit that I LACK wisdom, and trust that He will guide me and help me in my days and in particular, as I raise these children with my husband!

"He [God] tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11

How thankful I am that God "tends" to us, and particularly is leading me, a mom with kids! I'm also thankful that he "gently" leads... because I know I make mistakes along the way! But I learn from them and continue to ask Him for wisdom on a daily basis!

I can't imagine raising these children without knowing the above... God is helping me every step of the way... THAT I am in deed thankful for!