Growing Grateful

Over at lisajobaker.com, the fabulous Lisa hosts a weekly blog party called Five Minute Friday.

The rules are simple:

1. She decides on a one-word writing prompt. This week it is "Grateful".
2. Bloggers everywhere set their timers for five minutes.
3. Our pens fly....can you hear the frantic scritchety-scratch? 
4. We publish our five-minute masterpiece & share with the world.

I am grateful for....

the house imperfect,

the marriage lows,

the parenting struggles,

the relationships dissolved,

the pain of rejection,

the hurt of words,

the struggle with addictions,

the struggle to submit,

the struggle with "self",

the suddenness of death,

the gut wrenching sight of suffering,

the hurt before healing,

the loss of innocence,

the trusts betrayed

the lonely nights, 

the barren days,

the past rocky,

the future uncharted....

Because, in it all, God is there

Growing me up,

Growing me strong,

Growing me faithful,

Growing me trustworthy,

Growing me gentle,

Growing me....

Grateful. 

~James 1:2-4~

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers,

whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that

the testing of your faith develops

perseverance. 

Perseverance

must finish it's work so that you

may be mature and complete,

not lacking anything."

Sharing with... What Joy is Mine