So Very Blessed

 My little family has been under a lot of pressure lately. 

We've literally had as much car trouble in the last 7 months as we have in the whole rest of our married life (9 years) combined. When I was stranded with my kids yesterday I wasn't sure if I should cry (again) or laugh. Our medical bills have increased by thousands in the last 4 months. And there are countless other "little" things piled on top. Our stress levels are exhausting right now. 

Exhausting. 

It is Oh. So. Hard. to keep my focus during seasons of life like this.

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who live are always given over to death because of Jesus, so that Jesus’ life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak. We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and present us with you. Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God’s glory. Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

It's awfully easy to lose focus and start to despair. I am so guilty of this. I love to throw myself a good old pity party. I keep reminding myself that this is a season. And that my focus should be on eternal things even in the midst of a season of struggle. Maybe even more so. 

I always forget that the fastest way to find my focus again is to spend a little time being grateful. My kids are good reminders of it. When we were stranded in a parking lot yesterday they played in the grass under a pleasantly warm sun, had an ice cream cone, and rode their scooters down the sidewalk for hours. They had so much fun. My Girl's bedtime prayer was full of thanks for these little things. And she was truly happy and thankful!

All while my head was in my hands and my focus was derailed. 

I try it out.

Thank you for sunshine.

Thank you for ice cream.

Thank you for my children's smiling faces and sweet spirits.

Thank you for good friends and family who shower us with love and encouragement.

Thank you for an extra car that hadn't sold yet so that we are still able to limp around. 

Thank you for My Husband's steady job that keeps food on our table and a roof over our heads.

Thank you that in the midst of these struggles I have glimpses of grace.

Oh yes. There's that focus again. There's that hidden joy! You can't tell God how grateful you are without your focus shifting off yourself and onto Him. You can't have a heart full of joy while you despair over temporary circumstances.

May Jesus' LIFE be evident in my mortal flesh and my seasons of struggle. May I always fight to keep my focus on what is unseen and eternal. May I always give Him the praise and thanks He so deserves. 

My little family is so very blessed!