day eleven

dear god

thank you for hearing my groans, literally and figuratively yesterday in place of prayers. what a heavy emotional day.

thank you for all of the good things you blessed us with today. thank you for a relaxing day with colton where he got to recover from his long, emotional day. thank you for his school that is willing to let each of the kids learn in their own ways rather than try to make them all fit the same mold. thank you for fresh fruit and veggies that i got to eat today after a busy week of eating out. thank you that you provide food for us in all situations. thank you for the budget we've been on that has taught me an appreciation for eating at home.

thank you so much for sean's promotion! thank you for teaching us how to love living on a tight budget. at first the budget seemed scary and restrictive but thank you for helping us see how freeing and fun it actually was. i pray that we can show you that we will be wise with more now that you have blessed us with more money. please guide us as we make financial choices and help us not get back into the pattern of laziness with the precious resources you have given us. thank you for all you taught us over the last year and a half. and thank you for being such a patient father as we made stupid, and selfish choices out of ignorance in the past. thank you for a mom and stepdad who let us live with them to get our heads above water with the debt we were in. help us to stay worthy of this extremely unexpected blessing! i know you say that to the people you give much to much is expected. help us to know how to meet those expectations.

thank you for colton. thank you for a family that is willing to step up and watch colton for us so we can go out and thank you that when we do get to be alone we enjoy each other's company.

i pray for frank and ezekiel. please plan a path for their lives that involves few disappointments and heart aches. please cover all their hurts with your grace.

i pray for tylon and that you would continue to help him to thrive with crystal. i thank you that you seem to have spared him some of the trauma and that he seems to be sweet in spite of all the grown ups in his life letting him down.

i pray for the teens kristen told us about and that you would pave the way if you want us to be a part of their lives.

i pray for sean's power ball ticket 'cause hey....why not!?

i pray that you would show us how to share all of the good things you have given us with others in a way that is helpful and not harmful.

i ask that you would please forgive me for all the nasty things i thought today and that you would help me to think the best of others and not go straight to a mean thought regarding other peoples character first thing. help me not to be so jaded.

i pray that you would help us sleep great and wake up feeling healthy and strong. help us to be ready in the morning to serve each other, be respectful to each other and be kind.

amen...