Life has been a bit of a juggling act lately, but isn’t it always? I suppose recently I’ve felt the weight of my inability to prioritize well, which is the reason behind my writing hiatus. But, I’m back now, and with lots of things to share with you all that I’ve been learning lately, so bear with me through this popcorn post.

5 Things I’m Thankful for Lately:

1. My Job

These last couple of weeks, work has been burdensome and exhausting – more so than normal. I’ve found myself begrudgingly getting out of bed and stumbling into the office grouchy and empty. It’s easy to find things wrong in our workplace, with our co-workers or a boss, but things change with perspective and an attitude adjustment. I am thankful to work in a Christian workplace with people that have a genuine love for the Lord and one another. It can be super stressful, but we have a solid team.

2. My Hair

I needed a hair change this week, so I got a dramatic cut and had a dramatic reaction. I hate, hate, hate it! I have sat for hours in the mirror trying to fix this mess of a cut, but I just cry. I cannot deal with botched bangs. But I know some people right now fighting cancer, going through their days adjusting to more than just seeing their own bald headed reflections, and I’m reminded of how small I can be sometimes. My long, brown locks serve as more than just a reminder that it isn’t hair that makes us beautiful. They remind me also that I have been given a healthy, functioning body that does not have to suffer through chemo and radiation treatments at this time, and I’m so grateful.

3. Dave Ramsey

Yes, its true, I have always had an affinity for Mr. Ramsey, but I never knew the depth of it until today. My car has been having some issues, and upon getting some maintenance work done and receiving the $600 bill, I’ve never been more thankful for that emergency fund Dave had me establish early on in our financial peace advisory journey.

4. Changing Seasons

Ah yes, those things, the ones that inspired this very blog’s moniker. I’m really thankful for them. Not just the fact that its time to break out boots and sweaters, but for the chance to start afresh, for new opportunities and mercies. This time in life marks the close of some beautiful chapters and the beginning of new journeys, and I’ve seen the Lord’s hand in each.

I’m learning that life’s seasons don’t always come packed in 4 month time frames like seasons of weather, and that often the storms last longer than we even dreamed they would, making this call to die a daily death that much more difficult. I wish that clarity was ushered in with the autumn air; that circumstances would change with the colors of the leaves. But even when they don’t, I’m thankful for the shifting of seasons, and how the Lord uses them to shift something within us.

I’ve really struggled lately to find His presence in this season. I’ve felt distant and disconnected. Sometimes my stubborn heart denies the truth that my heavenly Father cares for me, though He does. He’s not only present in heartache, but He’s near. He’s smack dab in the middle of my mess, drawing me back, and every time; I fall in love all over again. I’m just really thankful for the presence of God – in all seasons.

5. People

I’m struck tonight by the realization that God has truly given me some wonderful, loving people to walk through life beside. I’m thankful for my best friend, who deals with my steady text stream of work, hair and life drama, all the way from Lincoln, Illinois. I’m thankful for time spent with out of town relatives. I’m thankful for my Grammy and the treasures that lie within her home, the one we’re busy in the process of getting her moved out of. I’m thankful for my Uncle, who consistently speaks truth and wisdom into my life. I’m thankful for my dad, and his love and leadership. I’m thankful for my brothers and sisters who keep me humble, and friends – new and old.