thankful

[note: this post was written yesterday, Thanksgiving day]

My heart is missing Chicago today… and my family sitting around the dining room table, laughing and sharing a meal together. I miss my crock pot with stuffing cooking inside, and homemade crescent rolls rising on the stovetop, and the pumpkin pie baked and safely placed atop the refrigerator. I miss Christmas music on Pandora playing loudly and shiny white Christmas lights and stockings hung up the stairway. I miss sweaters and cold weather and wool socks on my feet. I miss my Thanksgiving menu plan and a house that was cleaned the night before and apple-scented candles burning.

I woke up this morning, Thanksgiving morning. I went for a run, listening to Christmas music, and I let my heart ache for all the people and moments I am missing today. Because I'm learning that sometimes, you need to just let yourself miss home.

There's a turkey in the oven, and an apple pie to be made later this afternoon, and in between, lots of potatoes to peel and children to love. And tonight I'll sit around the table with people who aren't my family, but are becoming dear friends. And we'll cut the turkey that was running around our backyard less than 12 hours before and we'll share a meal and appreciate that pumpkin pie just a bit more than we would back home. And it won't be like Thanksgiving back home, but it will still be wonderful.

My heart is aching to be in Chicago right now. But He whispers quietly yet firmly, "You can focus on what you miss and what you have lost, or you can focus on what is here in front of you now And be thankful for now."  And so I make a list of the moments this past week that have made me smile. The thankfulness grows and -despite my aching heart- praise overflows from the depths of my soul.

Thankful for his smile.

Thankful to know this girl and for the many, many lessons she's teaching me.

Thankful for rainstorms and the cool weather that comes with.

Thankful for his joy.

Thankful for Isaac and his sense of humor, and the many laughs he gives me.

So thankful for this mama, and her love for this boy.

 Thankful for care packages and pieces of home!

Thankful we serve a healer-God, and for this girl's smile.

None of this is forever. And so I'll squeeze these kids a little tighter today, thankful to know them and to be here.