God has done GREAT things!

I have so much to do today. So many things on my list. But all I really want to do is just sit here and reflect on the last few days...and the next few days...and just let my heart overflow with all the gratitude that seems to be bursting from it.

Maybe it's all the extra hormones coursing through my body, by I just want to weep...with a lifetime of joyful, grateful tears.

God has done GREAT things.

Why does that sound so small to say? Probably because it's vastly insufficient.

So, why am I so grateful? Here are a few reasons.

1. We celebrated my husband's 36th birthday last week. There was a time when I thought I would never have a husband. And I certainly never thought I would have one as good as the one I've got. And there have even been times in the last few years when we feared that he might not have any more birthdays left to celebrate. God has done great things.

2. We celebrated my son's third birthday earlier this week. There was a time when we thought we would never be able to have children. But the Lord, in His mercy, saw our tears and heartache and gave us the most precious we could have imagined. What's better? His health has never been threatened. And having cried with dear friends who haven't had that luxury, we don't for a second take our son's health for granted. God has done great things.

3. We wrapped up another wonderful, incredible school year with Chi Alpha. Two weeks ago, we rejoiced as (about) 10 students were baptized, saying their lives had been changed by a God who loves them deeply. We met with 8 students who have chosen to rise to the challenge and the call of discipleship and we heard their hearts for their campus. We spent a wonderful evening with our current leadership team who has sacrificed and given countless hours  (and even tears) to unselfishly choose for the Kingdom of God. There was a time when I thought I would never be part of something so wonderful in the capacity I have been this last year. And what a privilege it has been to serve! God has done great things. 

4. We spent the last couple days planning ahead for the summer and for the next fall semester. You don't even know how big a deal this is. We are last-minute folks by nature. Normally we start planning for the fall semester in August. We knocked out so much in just a few days and so much comfort and relief is now ours because we took the time to do it now and not wait. The Lord gave us wisdom and insight and creativity. And we are thankful. God has done great things. 

5. We found out two weeks ago that we're welcoming a daughter into our family in a few months. There was a time when we thought we wouldn't be able to have any more children. But yet again, the Lord saw our tears and the ache in our hearts for another child and showed us His favor. I even often felt guilty for begging Him for another child after He had already been so good to give us one when others that we know and love are still longing for their first. And there was a time when we thought we'd only ever have sons (which was a beautiful thought for me), but now we get the joy of raising a little girl to be a fierce and mighty woman of God. What a splendid and terrifying task ahead of us! And furthermore, through multiple scans and ultrasounds, we have the confidence that she is healthy and developing perfectly. God has done great things.

6.  My baby sister is graduating with her Master's degree tomorrow. Nobody in our family has ever done that before. She worked so hard and is walking that stage with all her fancy hoods and things tomorrow. There was a time when I thought I would never get to watch her graduate (I missed both her high school and undergrad graduations), but tomorrow I will yell and cheer and embarrass her and the people around me. I'm so proud. God has done great things. 

The list really could go on and on and on. It's far too easy to be overwhelmed with all the things I lack and wish I had or wish I was that I'm not. Too many things that are less than ideal.

But OH! God has done GREAT things...and we are filled with joy!!!