Our Picture of Thankfulness 2025

Rhythms of Reflection

What started out as a simple, seemingly inconsequential, reflection has become an intentional rhythm for me. As you may remember, I've previously shared pictures of thankfulness from my back porch. or on a sunrise hike at The Oaks in southern California. Then, of course, our promise day when Will proposed (still gives me butterflies) followed by a reflection of our special day, our wedding the next year (oh, what a holy day it was), then last Fall, holding the first photo of our unborn child.

I had no intention when writing that first post of making this an annual series, but now, it's one of my very favorite reflections to write. Welcoming our firstborn, I try to capture every giggle, every peaceful snooze, every funny expression and moment shared together.

In a way, this year, it's a song and a photo because when I look at this photo, or really any photo of our family, this song is the one which is sung in the recesses of my mind. It's truth ushers me into a place of deep gratitude.

This gratitude helps me keep the Giver at the forefront, for it can be so easy to hold the gift in an exalted position, but giving thanks allows me to remember the One who gave this beautiful gift of family to me. The One who went to immeasurable lengths to ensure I could be part of His family.

The song which hits a chord in my soul is one written and sung by Ben Rector with Mat Kearney. He sings,

...This has to got to be as good as it gets 'cause it feels like fiction Little footsteps running through the kitchen... Someone must have been praying for me 'Cause I'm doing better than I ought to be (than I ought to be) Sometimes I open my eyes and I can't believe it Yeah, someone must have been Someone must have been praying for me ...When I see you in the morning, I know... Somebody must have been praying for me... 'Cause when I hold my daughter, I hear heaven speak Sometimes I open my eyes, I can't believe it Yeah, someone must have been Someone must have been praying for me I thank God they were praying for me

When I was pregnant, 'Dubs called me "Can-garoo" because my pouch was in full bloom. We dreamed of what our child would look like and sound like and what it would feel like to hold him or her in our arms. I thought a lot about the love I already had for this baby and how this love would undoubtedly grow, even though I felt I couldn't possibly love this child any more than I already did. Then, when I was reminded of how much this child would love me, and I wept.

Truly, someone must have been praying for me. I know they have. I have heard and read many of them. My heart softens as I begin to wonder of all the prayers prayed on my behalf that one day I hope to hear. I hope heaven has a voicemail for these. Wouldn't it be so cool to get to listen to prayer after prayer after prayer of people who have prayed for you? (I hope there's a box of endless Kleenex next to the voicemail. I imagine I'll need more than a few.)

Family is the biggest dream I ever dared dream, and it's by no means perfect nor is it easy, but it is still the biggest dream I choose to dream. As a wife and a mom, a sister and daughter, one of the most important parts of this calling is to pray for my family.

If we're not praying for our families, who is? We pray over today and the days to come. We talk to God about it all and give Him our cares. We ask Him to give us His vision for our child(ren) and for our family - to be the light unto our path, to always keep us in great need of Him, to bring healing where there is pain, peace where there is discord, light where there is darkness, hope where there is pain, freedom where there are strongholds and chains, grace to forgive and a softness of heart to receive and extend grace freely, godly friends to help us and walk with us on this narrow path with wisdom and truth, and courage to live boldly and purposefully what we believe, to give us strength and courage to walk in His light and His love. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 instructs us to:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I'm already realizing my greatest role as a mom is more than the home I create or even the model I set. As parents, we are called to pray for our children. I truly believe this is one of the leading reasons why God created the bond between a mother and her child, so someone would be committed to praying for His beloved children. Good news is, even if prayer has not been a foundational part of our lives before today, we can begin today. This command to pray without ceasing is hard, seems impossible on the surface. I don't always get it right. Sometimes I'm tempted to do the opposite: worry without ceasing, and it's draining. I'm learning to take these thoughts captive and use these as reminders to pray and give these cares to God, trusting He knows more about the situation(s) than I do and He has the power to lead me in all wisdom and the power to restore wholeness. After all, He cares even more than I do. Photos are one of the simple tools which help me practice this command and live it out.

I love how this spontaneous, no make-up photo captures the sun shining on us. We have felt the warmth of the prayers of friends and family, parents and grandparents, great grandparents and those we never met. Their faith in Christ and prayers for their family has had generational impact, shaping and guiding us. Additionally, we have felt the warm embrace from friends who have shown us the love of the family of God. To bask in this warmth is to be washed in grace.

And, remarkable to think how this grace is lavished on us not for our benefit only but so we could be a blessing to others, to help others experience the grace heaven has for them. It's the same for you. This light not only shines on us but in us and through us. Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12) and we, as His followers, are children of light (Ephesians 5:8). Not only do we get to reflect the light of His love but we get to bear His light.

"You are the light of the world." - Matthew 5:14

Our light grows stronger and shines brighter in the darkness as we "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances..."

We hold our little Roo and humbly and gratefully say thank you to God. God saw fit to bring the three of us together, to learn from one another, to grow in our knowledge and love of Him together, to shine His light together, and we are so very thankful. Together is such a beautiful gift.

For those places in all of our lives where the enemy has tried to steal and destroy this gift of "together," we pray all the more fervently, believing God is the God of relationship and healing and restoration. Nothing is too big for Him. May hearts be softened, strongholds break and love prevail as faith and hope lead us forward. I speak the name of Jesus, the powerful and resurrected One, over our families and relationships. In His timing and His way, we ask to experience resurrection and new life in Christ in those relationships we thought were lost. Amen. So be it.

How have you experienced answered prayers from prayers others prayed over you? How can you be prayerful over what God has entrusted to your care, whether as a parent or friend, leader or in another way? What might help you practice the command to "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances"? Is there a photo which could serve as a reminder for you to turn your gaze back to the Father and the Son and the work of the Holy Spirit in and around you? Consider adding this as a wallpaper on your phone or device, maybe printing it for a spot on your desk at the office or a place you frequent in your home.

Let's find strength knowing God is near and delights in us talking and spending time with Him. May His joy become our own as we learn more each day how to pray without ceasing and live in close connection with Him. May the peace of His Son, Jesus, guide us into surrender, trusting His ways are higher and far better than our own. May our souls rest, truly rest from worry and anxiety, as we cling to His love so assuredly and the love of the family of God, faithfully praying with and for us.

Listen to the song here and enjoy the video (I just want to be friends with these two talented goofballs):

The good life, well it starts with a good day. Then another. Then another. Let's choose to live #TheGoodDay one day at a time.