give thanks..

For the month of November, I have been posting things on Facebook that I am thankful for.  I think it is a wonderful idea for us to take a minute, look around and realize how blessed we are.  So, I decided to carry this idea over to my blog as I know that too often life gets busy and I forget to take time to appreciate all the blessings in my life.

Today I am thankful for my faith.  I did not grow up a religious person.  I wasn't baptized until I was much older - I was seven I think.  I went to church for a few years after that but then had a bad experience and we never really went back unless it was a holiday.  I attended a religious college but only went to Chapel a handful of times.  It really wasn't until I graduated college and struggled to find my place in the world that I finally decided to give church another chance.  Then I met J.  He inspired me to want to know more and experience more with God as a priority in my life.  So, as my relationship with J grew, I found my faith growing as well.

After we were married, we found a church that we both loved and we joined a life group (a group from our church that we "do life" together with). 

Over the next few years, I found myself clinging to my growing  faith as we struggled with infertility.  When we lost the girls, I had the choice to blame God or to turn to Him for strength.  I chose to turn to Him.  Yes, I was angry.  There were many times that  I yelled at Him, but in the end, I feel like my faith is one of the main reasons I survived that first year so well.  I clung to Bible verses and encouraging devotions and prayed like crazy for God to give me the strength to get through the day.

Now, I look down at this beautiful baby boy curled up on my chest and I praise God. I praise Him for giving me HOPE, I praise Him for the strength He gave me to get through some seriously tough times, and I praise Him for never leaving my side even when I yelled really loud.   

Faith is such a priority in my life now that I can honestly say I don't know who I would be without it.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.