Jen’s Gem: Give thanks to God in everything.

Twenty three years ago, life as I knew it changed forever. My son was born. He arrived nine days later than his due date, prompting the doctor to advise me to induce. I chose to let nature take its course and instead let the ginormous bowl of ziti I ate that evening do the inducing. My son entered the world the next day.

Today he towers over me at six feet tall and has a sense of humor that garners a chuckle nearly every day. His passion for basketball, especially the L.A. Lakers, is deep and long standing. His ability to see through inauthenticity is remarkable. He loves his Mom. Translation – he’s a mama’s boy.

My daughter, who is younger than him, has stated several times that she will move out before he does. I think she may be right. He greets me every morning with a million kisses and hugs. He is very protective and has a few “fighting words” for anyone who might try to hurt me.

When I brought my son home over two decades ago, I had no idea what was in front of me. I had no idea he’d keep me up at night for nearly a year nor be incented to potty train with a handful of coins from my Dad. I could not foresee his basketball prowess nor his struggles in school. His actions and decisions at times made my head spin, yet here we are and all is well.

It took medical science to conceive both him and my daughter so in those early moments after his birth, I was awestruck. I fell in love immediately and I fell hard. I reveled in the nearly five months I was able to be at home with him and cried my eyes out on my first day back to work. Later on his hugs and kisses when I picked him up from daycare made the workday’s struggles disappear.

Before you think that everything was all rainbows and butterflies in raising my son, I can assure you it was not. We’ve had our moments. His Type B and my Type A personality clash from time to time, yet his big heart and forgiving nature turn things around pretty quickly. He does not hold a grudge and easily forgets wrongdoings.

He recently started a new job that has the potential to be a career if he so chooses. After years of flipping burgers, he now works in a local print production business and is learning new skills. Along with a “real” job, he’s also in the process of securing his driver’s license, accomplishing the two goals he set for himself this year.

These achievements have been the subject of my prayers for some time and I am grateful to God for his blessings on my son. I know that He will continue to have His hand on my first-born and as his mother, it’s my job to continue to pray and speak life over him.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 NKJV)

I lean on my faith a lot when it comes to my kids. I look to God’s promises of their wellbeing when I fear a poor decision is being made. I give charge to God’s angels to guard them as they go about their day. I pray for His favor at job interviews or scholarship monies or whatever situation they are in that pits them against someone or something.

Bible verses make their way to text messages or emails when they are going through a challenge. While many times they scoff at me for these actions, their rolled eyes turn to amazement when prayers are answered.  I’m quick to give credit where credit is due – their Father in heaven.

When my son was born, my faith was, well, non-existent except for holiday church attendance. If there was a Bible in my home, it was gathering dust on a shelf. There’s not a day that goes by that I wish otherwise. God’s Word and His promises would’ve been a source of strength and courage as I raised my children mostly on my own.

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV)

However, I’m grateful to Him for watching over us all these years. For not “leaving or forsaking” us as He promises in Deuteronomy 31: 6

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (NKJV)

This week, as we ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, I would like to encourage you to give thanks to God for all He has done for you this year for the past twenty-plus years. A moment of praise and gratitude for His faithfulness can change your life forever.

God Bless You and Happy Thanksgiving!