Gratitude

Tonight I just want to express my gratitude to God and man for all the blessings in my life. I shared a couple of stories with my Lovely Ladies today that I'll document here as well. There is so much healing going in my family - I am amazed and humbled....

Last week in the car Melody mentioned that she can recognize when Satan is trying to tell her a lie like she is ugly or stupid. So she answers him back in her mind and tells him to shut up, that she is special and God says she is smart - and God knows best. Since I had just had that exact same thought about something that had been said to me, and was rebuking it just like Melody described, we had a "joy moment" when we shared how good God is. Melody giggled and said, "I feel so strong!".... knowing she could fight the lies with truth.

At our recovery class Sunday, I shared a story in our small group about a recent conflict with hubby and how wonderful it was to so quickly return to a place of rest and peace after the conflict. Grace piped up and told me (in front of everyone, mind you) how much she has seen me change the last few years. She sees me as a strong, educated woman who stands up for myself now, I no longer am under my husband but beside him. I have radically changed in the last 10 years.

I mentioned to Grace later that a lot of those changes have been applied to her as well (standing up to her, for example). She acknowledged that she sees even more of those changes in how I relate to her. I pointed out that she is safer right now than others in my family. But the healing has begun, it can't help but spill out all over the place.

Grace blessed me again tonight, without even knowing it. This is the second time this week she has joined in bedtime prayer with Melody and I. Last week it was just a quick "thank you God for the answer to the methadone crisis". Tonight it was broader, "thank you God for all the opportunities You are giving me." These are unsolicited prayers of gratitude from one who would never pretend or play nice or pray just to impress someone.

God is doing miracles in this family!!!! As hesitant as I have been to hope, there is hope being birthed in my soul. I will be ok if it all crashes, but I'll cross that bridge if needed. I won't hold back my joy or squash my hope just to protect myself. There is healing afoot. Let it begin in me...