Hi friends,

Over the last week my heart has been heavy. Much like most of you all I am sure. We turn the news on, slide through TikTok, watch Reels, and we are bombarded with pain and sadness.

In the heaviness of it all here are a few things I’ve learned from my children’s prayers that give me so much peace because of our God’s power and love.

1. “Thank you for this day”

We have such a great purpose in this life as Christians to love God and Love others (Matthew 22:36-40). Honoring God in all we say and do is such a beautiful gift and wonderful responsibility that we should be so thankful to do each day. We should wake up every morning praising God that we get to do that another day. We truly do have so much to be thankful for!

2. “Thank you for all the other days”

Life can be so heavy and burdensome we all know that. But this is all temporary. Despite how it may feel right now, there is meaning in the suffering. We will face sorrows in this life, but God brings peace (John 16:33). Freddy Klien said this during the gospel meeting over the weekend:

“Sometimes there is no visible good, so that’s when we trust in God’s plan even when we can not see it.”

Troubles of this life do not last forever, there is joy in the morning!

We must remember to give thanks in ALL things, in all the days!

3. “Thank you for Jesus!”

Really, we could put this at number 1. However, I know that we need to recognize the pain the sorrow. I know there will be someone who says “Yeah I am not buying this give thanks in all things.” Believe me I have experienced my own share of those feelings. Parents divorcing, childhood abuse, friends and family disowning or walking away from me, poor choices, addiction and you name it. It can be REALLY hard to give thanks, but JESUS! With Jesus on our side we will be VICTORIOUS! If you can’t thank Him for the day, we can at the very least thank Him for His life.

4. “Thank you for the light shining inside of us.”

I am not opposed to asking my kids to pray for me when I am struggling. Last night was one of those nights, my sweet daughter crawled up on my bed and said the sweetest little prayer. In the midst of it she said “Thank you for the light shining inside of us.” Friends, we have so much to be thankful for! We really do. Once we are part of the body of Christ we have a light that is so much greater than ourselves and it is by His power we are able to live in it!

5. “Thank you for whoopee cushions”

One of my children said this years ago and I hope I forever remember to thank God for even the small things.

Even whoopie cushions.

• Psalm 107:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
• Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
• Psalms 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
      and his courts with praise;
      give thanks to him and praise his name.
• 1 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!