Happy Pumpkin Spiced Latte to Me...

Yes, today I turned 33 years old. As I sit and ponder at the double triple, as my husband has so wonderfully coined it, I am amazed that so many things have happened in my 33 years of life! I could sit here for hours and relay them all, but I don't think that is necessary. But this morning as my sweet husband, who struggles to awake much before me (and typically I don't get up before 7:30 unless I'm off for an early workout, which today was not that day because it's my birthday, right?!) got up with me and fixed Reed his breakfast as I fed
Emery-Claire. Then said he was off to go get me the Starbucks drink of my choice....which I then had to pick the wonderful fall festive pumpkin spiced latte! It was an ordinary, regular day; but in my time with the Lord this morning (while drinking the wonderful latte) I really reflected in how much God has worked in my life. It seems just yesterday the birthdays were 25, 26, even 27, and I so prayed and cried out to God to send me a godly man, to love, serve, to walk through all of life with. Now here I am at 33, almost 4 years into marriage and 2 kids later, having more of a man than I could have even prayed or asked God for back then! It is just amazing to see throughout all the challenges and joys, ups and downs, through it all God knows what we need and why we need it! He is always good and faithful, He is so longsuffering, even when we are so selfish and self-consumed. As always it is so refreshing to see my daily reminder of the Gospel, to remember it is all about Him....as James 1:12 says "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." As I reflect on another year, I am humbled at the sweetness of the Lord's mercy and grace on my life, realizing I continually fall short. I so want to be molded more into the image of His Son, to be a woman of God, who has a passion to know Him more and make Him known! I want to love my husband and children with no expectations in return, but realize I so fall short in this. But yet the beauty of it all is that He sees me so perfectly covered in the beautiful robe of righteousness of Christ! To Him I owe it all, for He has paid my debt and set me free!
"Belee Kist!" as my sweet boy responds when we ask him what the work of God is, oh sweet words in my ear that I continue to cling to the truth of the Gospel as I too "believe in Christ!"