Top Ten Joys

So…in the past hour and a half I’ve had a pity party, explained to you what my blogging plans are for the upcoming months, and shared some of my thoughts about thanking God for the many blessings in my life!  Now, I would like to share with you the Top Ten joys in my life…

• 10. I live in a country where I am free to say what I want, go to church where I want, and read and write what I want.  I have 3 nephews who have joined our Nation’s finest in the fight to protect our country and our freedom.  I know and am related to countless other men and women who either currently or at some time in their life volunteered to serve our country.  I am honored to live in a country where so many young soldiers have willingly and valiantly given their lives so that all those whom I know and love may be free!
• 9. I am able to stay home and begin preparing for Carmen’s arrival.  I am also able to cook and clean AND spend time nurturing my friendships.
• 8. I have a wonderful house and yard that are both perfect for raising a family.
• 7. I have 2 cats and a dog that I absolutely adore.  They always seem to know when I need a little cheering up.  Ellie is a people-”person” and just loves to be the center of attention, Pebbles is so grumpy it’s comical, and Penny is…well, what can I say?  She’s “man’s (and woman’s) best friend”!  Some of BH’s and my best moments as a family involve one or more of our pets!  I am so thankful they are a part of my life (and I would imagine THEY are thankful to be a part of MY life…spoiled rotten as they are….).
• 6. I have a beautiful daughter waiting in Guatemala for me!  Words cannot even express the joy I feel when I think of her!
• 5. I have a church family that is caring and supportive.  They share in my joys and my pain.  They are there for me when I need them, both physically and spiritually.  They show me love and compassion.  They applaud my strengths and ignore my weaknesses.  They don’t ask me to change in order to meet their expectations, but rather accept me for who I am.
• 4. I have a very intimate group of friends who I would trust with my life!  They have stood by me through thick and thin, always there to offer a hug or provide a laugh!  They know what to say to make me feel better and they know when to say nothing at all!  My friends are there to hold me up when I no longer have the strength to hold myself up!  They have been with me through good times and bad and have proven how deep their love and loyalty flows!
• 3. I have a large, loving family who is always there and supportive of everything BH and I do!  Daddy is caring, compassionate, and faithful.  He has taught me everything I know about living life in a way that is pleasing to God.  And I married into a family who welcomed me with open arms!  As I exchanged wedding vows I became part of a family that included 6 beautiful sisters, 6 kind-hearted brothers, and dozens of aunts, uncles, nephews, and cousins.  I could not ask for 2 better families in which to raise our daughter!
• 2. I have a loving husband who stands by me through thick and thin, for better or worse, in good times AND in bad.  He knows when to make me laugh and when to let me cry.  He listens to me even when all he wants is a little peace and quiet.  He forgives me when I make mistakes and when I take my anger and frustration out on him.  He loves me for who I am.  He expects nothing more from me than what I am able to give.
• 1. I have a God who created me out of love and compassion.  He sent His son to Earth so that He might spread His Father’s message and then take upon Himself the pain and suffering caused by MY sins!  My God knows me and loves me and forgives me no matter how many times I fail.  He never turns His back on me regardless of how many times I turn my back on Him.  And without fail He is there to welcome me back when my faith returns and I realize that I have been lost without Him.

So, there it is…my life truly IS full of joy!  On those days when I feel discouraged, thinking that nothing is going my way or that I just CAN’T take another day of waiting, I will come back to this post and remind myself of the many joys and blessings in my life!  And then I will take a moment to thank God for each and every one of them!

~ by shoolady on June 15, 2007.