Give Thanks...

...for dirty diapers, wet sheets, early risers, tantrums in your home, tantrums outside of your home, spills on white sofas, runny noses, skipped naps, picky eaters, messy eaters, back and neck aches from carting 30+ pounds up and down stairs multiple times a day, toys to trip over, loud noises, bruised knees, bumped heads, endless dishes and laundry and ...

...for diapers to get dirty, sheets to get wet, children rising healthy and happy in the morning - a reminder of the Lord's mercies, teachable moments to talk to our children about their sinful nature and the forgiveness, hope and life that is theirs in Christ, sofas to spill on, kleenex for runny noses, napless afternoons that afford extra time to tangibly love on them, food options to be picky about, abundance of food with which to be messy, working bodies to hold and carry our little ones and homes to carry them around in, toys for their enjoyment, joyful noises, knees to bruise, heads to bump, dishes and laundry that remind us of all the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon our family.

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:17

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward." Psalm 127:3

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above." James 1:17