Two Words That Touch My Heart

This mom thing is hard.  Very hard.  No one could have prepared me.  Being a mom is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.  It is also the most rewarding.  And, my children are only 7, 6 and 2...  I’ve only just begun.

Adjusting to summer vacation has been fun and challenging.  On one of the challenging days (or what I call a “grumpy” days), the cycle was suddenly broken by a huge tickle-fest.  I caught each one of our children and “flipped their switch” from grumpy to happy by tickling them.  Soon, thereafter, my ears heard the most sweet sounds.

“Thanks, Mom,”  my oldest said.

“Yeah, thanks, Mom,” my middle one said.

“Thank you, Mama,” said my youngest one with her sing-song voice.

Those precious words reached into the deepest part of my heart.  “Thank you.”  So simple, yet so powerful.  Appreciation.  Gratitude.  Encouragement.  And, a sign of hope for me that they really are learning manners!

How much more do those words touch the heart of God?  

Our family has gone through a season of many ups and downs over the past two years.  Health issues, cancer scares, developmental challenges for one of our children, and negative job changes are just a few of the stresses we encountered.  Some of them brought our family closer together while others tried to rip us apart.  But, in the midst of it all, God was there.  His presence was evident even when I cried myself to sleep in fear.  And, when I was at the end of my rope, He always sent me an unexpected blessing.  

Today, our family is in a good place.  I stand at the top of a mountain in victory and shout, “Thank you, Lord!”  I thank my husband for walking by my side.  I thank my friends and family for being incredible support and encouragement.  I am grateful.

Each of us goes through seasons.  And, whether we are strolling through a lush, green valley, climbing a mountain, standing at the pinnacle in victory, or withering up in a dry, desert, we must remember it is only but a season.  And, God is there.  He is present.  For that alone, we can give thanks.

Today, in your season, may I encourage you to be intentional and simply say, “Thank you,” to those you love?  Let those two words touch the heart of our Father in heaven and the ones who mean the most to you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18, “...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”