a grateful heart.

i was reminded today of life experience. the fact that other people, other women, have gone through the same thing i have. what we take out of it, how we handle it, how we tell it, will have differences among them. today, i chose to find the blessing behind the ability to share. to share in experience and to share in remembering. our neighbors brought over an incredible, italian, family-inspired-gourmet-recipe spaghetti dinner for our family tonight that the stay-at-home-dad prepared all day long in a simmering crockpot. with family-secret-recipe canned vinegar peppers too. he went all out. he made it, but it was his wife who remembered. and cared. having an adorable daughter of their own, she knew what it was like a month after having a baby. she chose to act on her rememberance and share a meal. a meal that came in perfect timing. a day's end that knew my hands were not in the mood to create food. a heart, mind and soul that were tired. a night of limited sleep. a day of no sleep. as my neighbor shared her memories of receiving food when needed most, i could see the gratefulness in her eyes. gratefulness that she could pass on the blessing. gratefulness that we're not in this alone. there is always someone that understands. someone that wants to share in the memory.

the author of 'all-knowing', 'all-understanding', sprinkles opportunity into my lap to shine thankfulness into my heart. this is a chance for joy and praise to take center stage in the attitude of my heart. my girls are always watching. always listening. the attitude of my heart flows from my mouth and they are there to catch it. i desire for good things to fall upon their open ears. it is necessary. crucial. my grumbling towards life's unexpected potholes leaves a sour taste in the air. i had a few of those today. and i didn't like the way it made me feel. i didn't like the way it made jessa look at me.

i was given a chance to redeem myself. a chance to do some major construction on my rough road. as the neighbors walked toward our kitchen, arms bursting with scrumptious food, i was reminded that a simple blessing can quickly humble my spirit. a spirit that was, well...feeling sorry for itself. and then she started talking. reminding me that she's been there. i didn't even have to say a word. she just knew.

the author of 'all-knowing', 'all-understanding', takes care of every need in the matter of the heart, mind and soul. because He always just knows.

"because your love is better than life...my soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods... the earth is filled with His unfailing love."

amen.