Peace and Gratitude

A breakthrough is occurring!  The repeating theme in my life lately is...PEACE is not achieved through perfection.  PEACE is a state of mind.  I'm a slow learner but I have a husband who loves me and whose bear hugs speak more than words.  He is glad I'm getting there, too.  I know it isn't easy for him.  So now, as I type, the house is upside down and the kids are locked in on a cartoon.  I type and I let go.  Let go and let God.  I reach my hand out, uncoil my fist, and let go.  Freedom.

This time of the year, farming typically slows down.  Typically.  Due to various farm obstacles, including a blowup with a railroad company (they accidentally  sprayed our cash crop) and a broken combine that has been pushed 15 years past its prime.  Then there is the menial, daily farm challenges like tire blow-outs at just the wrong time and too much rain over this crop, etc.  My hubby relates to my daughter through the brokenness, though.  "I put a combine back together today just like YOU put your lego set together."  She beams.  I stand amazed at how naturally they communicate.  He throws ibuprofen back and grills dinner for us.  We're all tired.  This is month 7 of the 70 hour weeks.  I long for December, January, and February.  We tuck in and it just feels different in heart and home then.  I'm so thankful for such a strong man - whose absence is missed as soon as he walks out each morning.  The kids want their daddy all day while he's gone.  He's the more laid-back of the two of us.  In my inner circling around what PEACE is, I've eased up a lot on routines.  Daddy has had to enforce more, which has pushed his patience a wee bit (and I smile but not mockingly).  I am so very blessed to have that kind of man, who works when he rests too, though.  I pray for continued balance for our family, and have finally zeroed in on a major issue that has caused us to lose some peace and piece of mind.  As I reach upward and the sun blinds me with warmth and purity, I see all that for which I'm grateful.  It's impossible to gain peace without seeing all the blessings poured over me.

Grateful for... 

I'm grateful for true friends and family.  I'm grateful for those who take the time and make the time.  I'm grateful for antibiotics.  Little boy had a bad case of strep.  I'm grateful for a mom and dad who give wise advice.  I'm grateful for being a stay at home mom the last 7 years.  It's the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.  I'm grateful for having a teaching certificate.  My calling is there, too.  I'm grateful for a truly funny little boy who is going through a Peter Pan phase that is downright precious.  I'm grateful for a daughter who reads chapter books, and who buckled her baby doll in a stroller this morning for a morning walk.  I'm grateful for my mother-in-law.  I'm thankful for bright orange pumpkins and bumpy gooseneck gourds.  I'm thankful for crimson leaves.  I'm thankful for swing sets and our energetic black dog.  (Can't think of one without the other- she nearly terrorizes the kids each time they go out to swing!  ha)  I'm thankful for learning toys.  They make this teacher-mom so happy.  I'm thankful for DVR because the commercials are not fit for kids these days.  I'm thankful for having a washing machine and dryer.  They were needed a lot when little guy had strep.  I'm thankful for the ability to see Old Glory flying from the kids' playhouse this morning.  The wind whips her gently.  I'm thankful that despite all my shortcomings, God is still working on me to show me what peace is and what it isn't. 

So True!

I hope I never forget!

I have office work to complete at home today and the length of my post is proof...but do (please do) take a few minutes to indulge in this post.  By the way, don't let the Coco Chanel title dissuade you (It nearly dissuaded me).  I may never own Coco Chanel but I harbor an inner love of luxury.  For further clarification, when I say luxury, I DON'T mean wealth!  Here's to you!