O come, let us sing unto the Lord : let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God.
Psalm 95:1-3a

Over that last few weeks I’ve been trying to think of a verse that would be good to have as my focus for this year. A verse that would acknowledge my place in life, but also point me to God and what I’m called to do no matter what life throws at me.

With this verse and in this new year I want to be reminded to come to God in thankfulness and praise. That is my goal for this year.

Thankfulness

And

Praise.

I’ve been saddened and frustrated when people find out about our sadness and loss of Avi and Jussi in 2015 and they say we should be so thankful for the wonderful and beautiful kids we already have. I am. But that doesn’t mean our family isn’t supposed to be more. It also feels like they mean to say we shouldn’t be grieving over our losses because we have already been given so much. We should be happy and forget having more children. We have enough. We don’t need more.

I have been given so much. I’m so thankful for what I have. But I also grieve what I have lost. I don’t think God wants me to rejoice in what I have and forget or dismiss what I’ve lost. God also grieves with me. He loves these babies too.

There is so much I have that is so much more than the rest of the world and I have much to be thankful for. Being thankful leads to praise… or it should. It should bring me to my knees before the one who has given me so many good gifts.

I have a home, food, healthy children, warm clothing, safety, loving family, amazing friend, awesome church, caring church leaders, religious freedom, and my list could go on. Those are things that are denied all over the world.

I am greatly blessed.

AND….

That does not mean I have to put up a facade of being happy. It doesn’t mean I can’t grieve and miss my boys. This world is full of sin and we still live here.

There will be a time when all is made perfect. I’m thankful and I praise Him from whom all blessings flow.

I’m thankful.

And

I praise Him.

And I will, with whatever this new year brings.