I think sometimes we get so focused on surviving day to day, we can forget to pause, take a breath, and look at all that has been going on that is exciting and a blessing. I know I can definitely forget to do that sometimes. Life moves fast, and is exhausting, and there’s always more to figure out and do and pay for and get done. It can be overwhelming in all honesty.

Which is why it’s so important to pause, take a breath, and look around us. To see what God is doing in our lives. To remember all the blessings he has given us in the past…both a while ago, and recently as well. And to reset our focus back on him and praising him for all he has given us.

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
    I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 9:1

At the end of October of 2023 I made a big move. I packed up what few belongings I had left and moved from New Hampshire to Texas. This move allowed me to get to be with my wife all the time (as opposed to a week each month as it had been). I also began a new job as the Associate Student Pastor at Cross Timbers Church. It was my first time back to full-time ministry in 8 years. This was a lot of big changes, but it was also very exciting! I shared a post about it called restore.

Another exciting thing that God has given me the opportunity to do is begin working part-time with New Hope Wellness Center as a Pastoral Counselor. I’m currently pursuing my masters degree in counseling so I can be licensed, but in the mean time I get to provide Pastoral Counseling to clients, as well as gain valuable experience. This is a very cool extra blessing and opportunity that has been afforded to me.

Looking back at just the last 4 months, there have been a lot of big and incredible changes. It’s been a whirlwind for sure, and sometimes I’m just so busy working to survive each day and get done all that I need to, I can forget to pause and take a breath and consider all that God has blessed me with in just the past 4 months…

  • A new full-time job in ministry
  • A part-time counseling opportunity
  • A big move half way across the country that went smoothly
  • My son being able to take off work to drive with me to make the move (that was a cool time with him)
  • My kids in NH getting to come down for several days over Christmas
  • Maintaining an amazing relationship with my kids despite the distance (and I get to go see them next weekend again!)
  • Getting to be more involved in my step-kids’ lives
  • Getting to be with my wife on a daily basis…I love that we get to do life together every day!

It’s a lot (and I’m sure I could list more as well if I wanted to). These big changes and moves would not have been possible had God not already been working even before they happened. As I’ve continued to look at how much has happened, I can even begin to see how God was working before this happened to prepare it all to come to be. The more I consider his blessings and how he is and has been working, the more thankful I become! And the more I am reminded of how amazing he truly is!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Psalm 136:1-9

I encourage you to take some time to pause, breathe, and look at all that God has done and is doing. The salvation he has offered you. The blessings he has given you. The love he has showered over you. The opportunities he has given you. The people he has placed in your life.

I know you are busy and it just feels like often we are just surviving day to day, doing all that needs to be done…and there’s never quite enough time or resources it seems like. Which can be very discouraging and exhausting and overwhelming. That’s why you need to take time to pause, breath, and look at what God has done and is doing.

Pause. Breathe. Look. And give thanks to the Lord!