January 2024 Gratitude and Wonder

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 136:1

 January 2024

Honestly, I start this year off hesitant to even say anything at all. I'm hesitant because after feeling like I kicked the year off with a bang day one, I'm already feeling the agonizing realization of just how miserably far I fall short. After just one day into the new year, I am sitting here cringing at my short temper after literally just praying first thing this morning for God to please please help me control my emotions and be patient and for this to be a good day.

...I'm not even sure why I write.

...Day...	........Thanks........	............Wonder............
1	Football. Just kidding... I hate football. I'm more thankful for the rest of the year when I don't have to hear anything about the sport.	The way people are overwhelmingly consumed by a sport that doesn't even make one iota of a difference in our lives for the better, other than maybe bringing people together and tearing people apart all over their "team". - update: oh oops I was supposed to say something about God... The fact that God would overlook my wretchedness and see the righteousness of Jesus instead, not because He is incapable of seeing our wretched state but because He chooses to.
2	For new mercies every morning because Lord I need thee every hour and minute to just get through the day.	How a toddler can be so smart and yet at the same time do such ridiculously dumb things the very next second. How a toddler can be so sweet and yet make you want to rip your hair out and scream so loud that the neighbors down the road could probably hear you. I just don't get how the lousy parents who don't even care about their kids somehow manage to get by unscathingly without their kids being taken away. How?!? -- Update: How Jesus could bear all the sins upon His shoulders.
3	For Ian not being underweight, just at the low end of weight scale, which is completely normal for my genetics so he probably just has my genetics too.	How God sustains everything in the universe which is only the breadth of His hands!
4	For safe travels to and from doctor appointments, and for Ian getting some hydration and food.	How God uses painful and seemingly senseless situations to open our eyes to the gifts He gives us often in disguise.
5	For time with my mom and naps much needed.	How God forgives us freely of our worst offenses, and often we still harbor hard feelings for wrongs done against us decades earlier.
6	For times when Ian enjoys bath for most part and good movies like Encanto.	How Jesus could call Judas Iscariot a close friend at any point during his life.
7	For yarn. Mountains of beautiful, colorful yarn. And the magic of crochet or knitting.	How God turned a sad group of disciples into legends of the Bible.
8	for God's grace when we have hard days	How God can tell the thunder where to go and command lightning to strike
9	For the sweet sound of Carolina wrens singing outside early in the morning. I had not heard them around in a very long time.	How God designs things so perfectly and when we do things according to His design, things just go much better for us usually.
10	I guess I am thankful for not pulling all my hair out today, or having a complete meltdown (but it was close)	The marvels of the unviverse and how the most entrancing and beautiful things can be the most dangerous too.
11	For Eric getting to come home early because power was out at the school	How weather can change so quickly
12	For the bad weather missing us today	How much God loves children more than any parent could.
13	For being able to exercise even when it is super cold outside	How birds can fly very fast between trees and not hit branches every time
14	time alone.	how freezing rain forms.
15	the quietness and stillness outdoors on a snowy day.	how freezing rain can just collect like grains of sand in the right conditions.
16	for getting to play in the snow with Ian for first time.	how these winter storms can leave us stuck indoors longer than anticipated.
17	for the sun.	how even with the sun out, it isn't enough to make conditions on road any better.
18	for a warm house.	how my cat can be so close to a heater and not burn...
19	for stashed food in case of emergencies and safe travels to the store when needed	how long it can take for snow and ice to melt away.
20	for Ian eating something. and finally getting his bowel movements after waiting all day.	how time seems to not move yet slips by so quickly.
21	For us getting by this week and warmer weather coming soon.	How tired I can get from not being able to get out and from being so cold.
22	For finally getting mail delivered that was delayed since last week.	How Jesus handled having people use him and just want him for his miracles. How He responds to people who are not thankful for the blessings He does give.
23	Finally getting our heating and air fixed properly. Eric not having to work all day was just a plus.	How God made each individual creature with care and intentionality; I think about how when I was younger it didn't really matter to me how each bird was different. Now I marvel at every warbler that is too quick to capture on camera. I marvel at how there are HUNDREDS of warbler species and how each and every one has its own unique markings and history.
24	For God allowing me to have patience - or a little more than usual, -anyways - on days like this.	How rain is necessary for growth. How a small twig of a tree can grow into a tree.
25	For getting through today, getting stuff done at doctor appointment, and having my mom there to watch Ian.	How the rain we need so much can also be too much at once.
26	for days when I can get some grace from others.	how God could keep a covenant He made long before Jesus ever came, and not change His mind about it no matter how evil the world is.
27	for sleeping in and naps.	how God is still in control, even when the Devil tries to hijack everything.
28	for time outside	how God gave us a new covenant, allowing us to be redeemed through Christ's sacrifice.
29	for naps	how fast a kitten can grow up.
30	For good early intervention therapists	how we could never run out of mercy from God.
31	for my early valentines day present from Eric.	how we don't incur the wrath of God like we often deserve.