As I noticed my two sons spontaneously grasp each other's hands across the space between them in the backseat, even after bickering and biting (yes, literally) and annoying each other (and me) throughout the afternoon... That gladness and gratitude in my heart swelled up into joy and overwhelming love.
As I was sweeping up the living room and straightening the house listening to Blaine read the Bible to Brock, teach Brock a little German phrase, and sing songs with Brock... I spiraled into a rabbit-hole of thankfulness.
My soul welled up with Hallelujahs.
Thankfulness for this home I own. Even with all the work it requires, even with all the chores it comes with, even with all its imperfections, I have a home filled with so much more than I really need. A home that will keep me and my family safe and comfortable tonight as we sleep.
Thankfulness for my children. Even with all the ways they make me a basket-case, even with all the attention, time, patience, sacrifice they require from me, I have two little boys who I am so proud and in awe of every day. Two little boys growing into men who I have the privilege of loving and teaching and guiding for a season.
Thankfulness for my husband. Even with his ADHD, forgetfulness, occasional oblivion, even with our sometimes extreme differences, even with the ways we drive each other crazy, I have a husband who loves me and is faithful to the covenant he made with me. A husband who is my best friend and who I am so grateful to spend my life with.
All these things kept assaulting my mind. One right after another. Even tiny, insignificant things that filled my life, I suddenly felt so thankful for.
And I realized that even if all of it was taken away... Even if every single possession I own, every single person I love, every single thing that I had just felt grateful for was removed from my life... I would still have reason for joy and gratitude.
Because the Source of each of those things was the One to whom I was directing my thankfulness. And that One, Jesus, had sought me out and made me His thirteen years ago. And my relationship with that One is the only thing that has any lasting and permanent value in this life. It's the only thing that sustains me and makes me any good at all.
So as my gratitude spiraled out of control, I realized that I have so, so much.
But even if I had nothing, I would still have everything.