Ebenezer…

On this beautiful Sunday I’ve been feeling grumpy.  Michael has been gone for an hour because he is playing bass for worship this morning.  I love the fact that my husband is willing to make the sacrifice. However I am not so thrilled with my obligation to then get my beautiful children ready and out the door to church alone.

I think I could write a whole Dr. Seus-ish book about it:

“Getting kids ready for church by myself causes a fit.

I do not like it  no, not one little bit.”

My rhyme could go on and on – but I won’t bore you.

Today I decided to turn my attention away from the grumpies and think on things that I am thankful for.  This usually changes my attitude almost instantly.  In the words of one of my favorite hymns, “Here I raise my Ebenezer…”  And that is exactly what I’m going to do.  I am going to write down (instead of my ill-advised, sour-puss, Dr.Seus poem) what God has done for me and hopefully move to a place of gratitude!

I am thankful :

*for a wonderful, incredibly talented, loving, mind-reading husband – who also happens to be good at doing laundry.

*for three beautiful children who remind me of God’s love on a daily basis.

*for parents (and in laws too) who regularly and lovingly invest in our family.

*for a family tree that has the rich soil of God’s grace at its roots and the fruit of His Spirit blooming from the  branches.

*for my home and everything earthly that I could possibly need,  provided by my  generous Heavenly Father.

*for the gift of music that has permeated my life and my home my entire 35 years – there is no joy like it.

*for the power of forgiveness and restoration that has been demonstrated to me by those who know me best and still love me. (especially my sister…)

*for friendships near and far that on many days are a life line for my sanity and proper behavior…

*for an english teacher,  who a long time ago taught me the value of good grammar and made me memorize a large portion of Romans 6.  I was forever changed.

*for a great grandmother who lived a life unlike anyone else I know, and instilled in me the love of poetry, laughter, and big gaudy jewelry (a la Miss Leila).

*for the hope of Eternal Life, extravagantly purchased by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I am blessed…  after all of that there is no doubt, even if I do have to get ready for church once in a while without my partner in crime.   I finish with words from a hymn, a beautiful reminder of the true goodness and grace that flows down from the Heavenly Father to all who receive Him.

“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

Come Thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of God’s unchanging love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I’m come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace now like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.