Thankful Heart

This season of thankfulness I have much to be thankful for. I am (very slowly) learning that my idea of "normal" isn't always God's best for me. And, more than the "safe" life or the "normal" life, I want to be following His direction for my life. Even if it's not "normal."

"Normal" would have been getting married and then after a couple of years getting pregnant and having a biological child. With "normal" I wouldn't have the blessing of my son Riley.

"Normal" would have been having a second boy when we submitted our second adoption application and didn't choose a gender...because everyone familiar with the Korean adoption program knows that choosing "either" really means you are matched with a boy. With "normal" I wouldn't have the blessing of raising my daughter Mary Kenzie.

"Normal" would have been spending time with my sister Kaitlin as a sister and a friend. With "normal" I wouldn't have had the blessing of having Kaitlin in our home...with our home becoming her home...in the midst of extreme turmoil and loss.

"Normal" would have been assuming that our third child would come to us through adoption. With "normal" I wouldn't have the blessing of our daughter Annalise.

"Normal" would not have been having my family fall apart tragically because of sin. But in the midst of the pain and the chaos and the darkness, I have experienced firsthand the peace and the comfort that can only come from God. For that, I am thankful.

While my life may not look "normal" from the outside, I am extremely thankful for how the Lord is growing me and for the tremendous ways He has poured out His love on me.