God is Good!

I sent a picture of the ocean to my mom on my cell phone a couple of days ago. It was early in the morning, and we had just dropped Matt off at work. We went to Nawiliwili Harbor, just a few miles from our house, and the sun had just risen. It was peaceful and quiet and as I stared out my car window I felt like all of life's worries just disappeared.

My mom's reply to the picture I sent her was, "Isn't God good?" Of course, my immediate reply was "Mmmhmm!" Because, of course, I think He's good. But it got me to thinking.. How often do I really acknowledge His goodness? When I start to count the ways He has blessed me, I quickly feel overwhelmed. I could list them for days and days with no end in sight.

Since I can't possibly list them all, I thought I'd just give a quick "Top Three".

1. I have a wonderful husband!

Matt came home last night from a long day at work, exhausted, I'm sure. But, as usual, he gave us all a big smile and a hug, and took Will upstairs for some much-needed wrestling on the bed time. Then he told me to go to the spa, while he watched the kids. When I got home, he had cleaned all of the dishes, bathed the kids and got them ready for bed!

I don't know why God gave me such a smart, fun, hard-working husband, but I'm sure glad He did. I love that we live in a small town, where we run into Matt's co-workers and patients all the time. So many people have told me, "We love Dr. Garner!" And of course, I'm not surprised. I'm realizing more and more each day what a unique person he is. I hope that William grows up to be just like him someday :)

2. My family loves the Lord

I can't even begin to describe how grateful I am that He has shown all of my siblings and my parents the amazing depths of His love. When my brother is in Afghanistan, and his military base is attacked with rockets, I can rest in the assurance that we serve a God who is ALWAYS in control. He has promised us that "He is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him." Nahum 1:7

And in the midst of what has to be the most trying time in his life, Mike is praising the Lord. I know that without his faith, he would easily be discouraged and negative about his circumstances. But instead, he is reciting scripture, reminding himself and all of us, that God has promised us great things, and he is always faithful to keep His promises!

3. My children are healthy and happy.

I am so very grateful for William and Anna. Matt and I often watch them sleeping in their cribs and I'm in awe of God's amazing gift of our children. Will is truly unbelievable. I know he's my son, and I'm a little biased, but I'm blown away by this boy. He loves to sing to us, asks me for hugs every day, and squeals with excitement when his Daddy gets home from work.

Anna is our happy, content baby. She smiles at us countless times every day, and when her Daddy gets home, she watches him constantly and wants to be near him. I look forward to a relationship with her, like I have with my mom. I hope I'm the first one she calls when she gets wonderful news, and the one she leans on when her heart gets broken.

I'm thanking God today for His goodness to us, and pray that next time I'm tempted to complain about whatever circumstance I find myself in, I'll remember that I've been blessed far beyond what I deserve.