Back Porch Sittin'

This morning I was enjoying some quiet time out on the back porch. My devotional for today included the following verse from 1 Thessalonians, "Rejoice always, pray continuously, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." As I looked around and started thinking about our back porch I was filled with rejoicing and thankfulness. Our porch may not be fancy, but it is filled with blessings and sweet memories that I want to share.

Eva's slide. I am so thankful that she has this small piece to play on and it makes me rejoice to think about our friendship with the Ford family who passed this along to Eva when their kids no longer used it. The gliding couch. I used this as a special reading spot in my classroom when I taught. I love sitting out here watching my little girl play. I love sitting here to read my Bible early in the mornings. The folding chairs. Now before you judge me as being part of the Beverly Hill Billies, just wait. I may wish that these chairs could be place somewhere else, but I don't mind them being there because of the reason why they are there. Those chairs are taking up space on our porch because on Sunday nights are home is filled with 30 students learning to love Jesus. I will gladly keep the chairs on my porch if that makes it easier for kids to fill our home. (PS The chairs can't go in that closet behind because it is FILLED with holiday decor.)

The porch toys. I like the life that these toys breathe into an ordinary slab of concrete. The water table, the ball, the box, the basketball goal - all of these are things that are used to have fun days outside! I don't really care how all of this looks from the golf course side of our yard if it means more sweet times outside as a family.

Our view. I'm so thankful that our view is part of the golf course. I would much rather see land and trees than the back of somebodies house. I rejoice when I think of how Eva laughs as she runs around and how lucky we are are to have this open space. Yes, I wish we had more of a fenced in back yard, but at least Eva has plenty of space to play! Also I love looking at a beautiful Texas sky. 
 
The field of dandelions. Technically these might be weeds, but to my two year old, they are a field of diamonds. Every time she sees one and says, "Mama! Yyoook! A FOWWER!" my heart smiles. She is so happy to pick them and bring them to me. It doesn't matter that they are short lived, she just finds joy in blessing me with them.

How abundantly blessed am I to have such a beautiful space to enjoy such a beautiful smile? How much does God love me to remind me of all these little hidden treasures? Happy Saturday....hoping you are spending the day rejoicing and finding things to be thankful for :)