Being Thankful...Always.

It has been quite a time here at the B household since I last posted. When I decided to take away Jack's pacifier, he in turn decided to get a cold. It wasn't anything major at first, but after about a week the "cold" just went from "a runny nose", to "what happened!?" He got a horrible ear infection, fever and cough...and his nose turned into Niagra Falls, which in turn chapped his cheeks and made his nose so sore it bled. The poor kid didn't sleep for two weeks.

I am happy to say I never gave in to the pacifier. Oh, I wanted to, but every time I was tempted I just told myself that it would get better. That he wouldn't be able to breathe with that thing in his mouth anyway.

I found myself very stressed during the day because he was just plain sick and tired. Oh, the sleep deprivation we endured. But the stress also came from that being able to do much to console him. I think whether he knew it or not, he wanted that pacifier to comfort him.

So it has been a rough two weeks, but we got through it. He still cries when I lay him down, but not for too long anymore, and that too shall pass. 

The whole reason I wanted to write this post is to share a verse that saved me this last week: 

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

• Rejoice Always. Always. There is always something positive to shift our focus on, and wow does that help!
• Pray Continually. Yep, that means all the time.
• Give Thanks in every situation you are in. What a great reminder! There was so much to be thankful for even with Jack being so upset (a.k.a. crying a lot!)

Thank you that I get to be home to take care of my sick child. Thank you he isn't more sick. Thank you that I have a husband that is at home during the day so I can take a nap. Thank you that my two older boys are so good for me. Thank you that one little verse can mean so much. Thank you Lord, you are so good, even when life isn't that great. 

This is totally a coincidence that this is being written less than a week before Thanksgiving. :) But maybe it's a perfect verse for others to meditate this week, and always. Always.