Grace and Good Coffee

Finding grace and good coffee to survive every day.

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thankful

gratitude

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I like to start my blogs the same way I would if I were picking up a conversation with an old friend. “It’s me again! Let me tell you about today…” But in reality, sometimes it’s been a while in between conversations, and if you’re not really good friends, it might seem a little awkward. Nevertheless, I have a hankering to talk about something today, so cheers to the awkwardness ensuing.

Photo credit: Emily Hunsaker

It’s officially October, so we’re quickly approaching the season of gratitude. You know, the couple of months out of the year when we’re forced to think about all the things we’re supposed to be thankful for, even though we’re still annoyed with everyday life.

It feels something like this:
I’m still working all the time.
I’m still just as exhausted as ever.
I’m still overweight.
I’m still stressed out.
I’m still not “living my best life” … *insert eye-roll here*

You know what? You don’t have to fall into that trap. “Living your best life” does not mean you’re expected to live out someone else’s highlight reel. Forget that staged mess! Life is dirty and stressful and downright MEAN sometimes.

Living your best life might just mean being thankful for the 3 things that didn’t hit the fan today, and dragging your butt out of bed on purpose tomorrow to do it all over again, because there are people who need you to do that.

And honey, that kind of gratitude these days is my kind of gratitude.

We all know the reality is that most of us are able to get ourselves wherever we need to go, feed ourselves when we’re hungry, work to pay our bills, and even jump into a whole heap of trouble every day if we feel like it — and I usually do. Sigh.

When I can actually pause to think about the word “gratitude” on purpose, I quickly realize that I have a LOT to be thankful for. I may not be a spring chicken anymore, but I can still do most of the things that I’ve always been able to do. And thank goodness for that, because I have a toddler who likes to keep me on my toes!

But on most days when I don’t have time to sit and think about it, I’ll just keep whispering, “Thank you Jesus for my coffee. Amen.“

What can you be grateful for today?

Blessings,
Emily

answered prayers

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This man right here. He takes such good care of his girls. He reminds me so much of my Daddy, and how much he loved us.

David is an answered prayer.

My Grace is snuggled safely in bed, David is showering, and I’m counting so many blessings.

Lately, I find myself falling in love with my husband all over again. The way he takes care of us, works hard to provide for us, and shows his love – I really do have a true partner in life.

Sometimes I look back on all the years of broken-heartedness, waiting for the right man to come along, and I pray over my daughter; I pray for the husband God has set aside for her, and that she will not have to wait as long as I did for him to be made ready.

Prayer is a big part of my life. I prayed for David and for Grace for many years, and God was listening. It wasn’t always easy to trust what I could not see and did not understand, but these things came to pass anyway. He has answered my prayers. And although I have many more that are still awaiting an answer, I see my blessings and I am so thankful.

I believe in the power of prayer, and I hope you do too. Whatever your need is tonight, take it to Him and lay it at His feet. Let it go; don’t pick it up again. There is great power in your prayers, and in your faith.

Blessings,

Emily