tiger is very loved in our home.
lu is eyeing c's music set up (kinda excited that now i get to listen to my music, while c listens to his (which happens to be christmas music currently)
happy brothers reunite. heart filled a plenty. hand hold. (took this walking down the stairs after c's OT. they were excited to see each other )
some thoughts i've been thinking this week...
the world is smaller than we sometimes believe. stories intertwine to share same struggles and similar triumphs. I can count on my hand at least five friends who are going through struggles with one of their kiddos right now. Not just, challenging child struggles, more like special needs struggles. Speech. Autism. Sensory. ADHD. Affects of Abuse. It makes me realize that what you see on the outside is not always the picture you get on the inside. We share similar struggles, worries, challenges, hopes. We understand what it means to make phone call after phone call trying to get answers and help. We know what knocking down doors to advocate for our child means. How going to doctor appointments with different specialists for months can make you feel tired, but also encouraged because you're finding answers. Each sweet child, they require us to give more, love more, reach more, ask for more, advocate for them, believe in them, help others to see they have special things going on; they're different but they are the same too. They beg us to see beyond what most will not. They require us to stand up and sing praises because just look at them. They are special. They are extraordinary. Look beyond her hour long meltdown. His constant moving from one activity to the next. His agressive behaviors that stem from seeing his daddy hit his mommy. Her run that doesn't quite look the same as the other little little girls. His bite marks on his hand, look beyond her grunting for words...Instead, look and see those bright smiles. Believe in them. Love them. Have faith in them. And most importantly have faith in yourself; as a mother, as a father. Incredible faith. We are all facing different burdens and worries. There are marriages that are hurting. Children that make us feel like we give everything we have and sometimes that just isn't enough. I know too many friends that ache and dream of one day having a child. Friends whose marriages are struggling to survive and some who have to let go in order to do what is best for their family. All these hard changes we face. But, joy, we will find. If we seek Him who Loves us, with an everlasting love.
John 15:4
Abide in me and I in you.
Exodus 33:14
And He said "My presence shall go with you and I will give you rest"
Romans 8:38-39
Nothing can seperate us from the Love of Christ Jesus the Lord
I've been reading Jesus Calling as part of my devotional time while the boys nap. And I love this "Fix your eyes on me. The one who never changes. I am always besides you, helping you face today's waves."
Our world may be changing more than we'd like at the moment, but God is always the same. His love for us never changes. Fix our eyes on God. He will hold us up when we are weary.
Philippians 4:7
and the peace of God...will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 14:31
Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him.
immediately. what a beautiful image this brings to mind of Christ immediately wrapping us up in his love. all we have to do is reach out for him and ask.
1Peter5:6-7
humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exault you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Matthew11:29
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Joshua 1:5
I will be with you; I will not fail or forsake you. Be strong and courageous.
Joy is a choice, not a pursuit. I am trying to choose Joy daily. I fall short many times! But that's what I'm striving for and focusing on during this time. The scriptures I shared above spoke to me this week. I wrote them in my Joy journal and hope they may bring those who read this maybe some comfort. It is my prayer for my friends, and for whoever is going through a challenge, that they may find Joy. That they can rise above their circumstance and walk with Him in His Heavenly Glory.
Happy Thursday :)
also just to say, i know this is random but.... i hope i don't offend anyone with what i put up here. i share pictures of the boys, and my thoughts because i enjoy taking pictures and writting my thoughts down in one place. *even though i have photo albums and journals, i love that the blog world connects so many people together. i love sharing pictures and stories....and i hope you know our little home isn't perfect. we have many struggles. pictures may make us look happy, like we have it all together. Obviously we do not :) We're human, and this is just our simple little blog of pictures and words :) and everything i write is written out of love, for my family, for friends, for the boys.
it's almost friday. and that makes me happy :)
Life is filled with both heartache and joy!
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