Last night while Oliver was brushing his teeth he sat down on the edge of the bathtub.  He motioned for me to sit next to him, so I did. He placed his hand on my leg, took the toothbrush out of his mouth and said, “Mommy, God gave me the joy. Do you think He gives every Oliver the joy?”

All I could do was pat his sweet little head and say, “You know, I’m not sure. I do know He gave me the joy as well.”

Oliver’s faith and understanding are strong for a four-year-old.  He truly has the joy that shines through darkness. He and I are both more overzealous than the other two in the house. He will be one who lives out his faith louder than my other son, Luke. It is just the way God made him.

Luke is more of a black and white thinker.  His thoughts are more factual than they are feely.  I don’t believe I will ever hear Luke say he has the joy. I’m actually laughing just thinking of those words coming out of his mouth. The other day, Luke was telling his friend actual facts of why God is real. Luke’s eyes lit up and you could hear the fascination in his voice. I never at that age even thought of the facts as he does. It amazed me.

God gave them different types of faith. Each will touch different types of people. It truly is beautiful to think of.  The tricky part is for Matt and I to embrace their unique ways and channel their gifts in the right direction.

As I was writing this I couldn’t help but to shift my thinking to how grateful I am for the way God made me as well.  It is natural for me to be thankful for my kids and husband. But I don’t ever stop and actually thank God for myself. Maybe it sounds funny and less than humble. But it really isn’t. It is about giving the credit to the one who made me. It is about realizing I am a part of His plan. It is about feeling His love for me. It is about further embracing my gifts so I can further the Kingdom.

I think of my prayers. I thank Him for what I have, not for what I am. I don’t ever say thank you for making me joyful and kind. It is always about asking for the things I think I need to work on (which of course are important too). Even though I see myself as being pretty comfortable in my own skin––I need to be more intentional in thanking Him for my beauty. Yep.

I am no mistake.  He made me this way for a reason. God gave me mercy, kindness, joy, sensitivity, and so much more that makes me the one and only me.

Dear Lord, thank you for making me. Thank you for all the gifts you have bestowed upon me. I carry my own unique cross and I know You give me the tools and strength to carry it all the days of my life here on earth. Guide me and Matt as we do the best we can to teach our kids how to embrace their own gifts and as they learn to carry their own crosses. In your name I pray, Amen.