When’s the last time you thanked God for how He created you? If you’re like me, it probably doesn’t cross your mind. I’m thankful to God for a lot of things; I tell Him so when I pray. I’m thankful for my family. I’m thankful for my friends. I’m thankful for Jesus. I’m thankful for my home. I’m thankful for forgiveness. I’m thankful for books. I’m thankful that I get to be a mom. I’m thankful for neighbors that feel like family. I’m thankful for my kids’ schools and their teachers. I’m thankful for my church. I’m thankful for almond extract and guacamole, obviously not combined. All that to say, I’m thankful for a lot of things, a lot of people, a lot of blessings. One thing that hardly dawns on me to thank Him for is…me.
Read MoreOften at Christmas time my thoughts turn to Mary. I think about how she must’ve felt being an unwed mother. I wonder about that trek to Bethlehem on the back of a donkey being 9 months pregnant (woof). I think about what a wonder it must have been to hold that teeny, tiny Savior baby. I think of her because I’m a mother and, like in any story, I’m trying to identify with the female character.
This year it’s been different. My thoughts haven’t gone to Mary like they normally do.
Read More