Gratitude

(Katie) This morning I am full of gratitude.

• I  woke up next to my beloved husband- a man that knows all of my flaws yet loves me unconditionally.James is a daily reminder of God's grace and faithfulness.
• I am thankful for my sister Ali as its her birthday today...thinking of how she always blesses me with her contagious joy and selfless love. I am in awe of her heart for children and how God uses her to anchor children in their identity in Christ. She is coming to Wheaton tonight for the weekend with my parents and I can't wait!
• I am grateful for my job, specifically the students that I get to work with. I had my first two one-on-ones with 2 of the 4 RA's that I am mentoring. Both conversations were life giving and brought me much joy. Even though I am the 'mentor,' Thea and Leslie both taught me a lot yesterday and will teach me a lot this year.
• Last night, James and I hosted post rounds and I loved watching all the RA's pile into our apartment....stepping into the kitchen and hearing them connecting...playing Loaded Questions.....and at the end of the night, hearing some of them reflect on their Ebenezers from the week and how they saw God at work.
• One RA hung out until 1 AM, connecting with James about girls and matters of the heart =-) 
• Finally, grateful for the song 'Forever Reign' by Hillsong....the lyrics are journeying with me and its been playing on our IPOD constantly.....be blessed by these words today, hope they journey with you today:

You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost it's sting

Oh, I’m running to Your arms,
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go

Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

My heart will sing
no other Name
Jesus, Jesus

Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign
 

To be grateful for the good things that happen in our lives is easy, but to be grateful for all of our lives---the good as well as the bad, the moments of joy as well as the moments of sorrow, the successes as well as the failures, the rewards as well as the rejections---that requires hard spiritual work. Nouwen says that we are only truly grateful people when we can say thank you to all that has brought us to the present moment. As long as we keep dividing our lives between events and people we would like to remember and those we would rather forget, we cannot claim the fullness of our beings as a gift of God to be grateful for. Let’s not be afraid to look at everything that has brought us to where we are and trust that we will soon see in it the guiding hand of a loving God.