Do you know what a gift it is to be a parent?

How in an instant, you suddenly become aware of Christ's love for us, His unconditional love? And to imagine that NOTHING can separate us from him?

Being a parent, it's so rewarding to be able to understand the greatness of this. The caliber to which he forgives and accepts us with arms wide open.

And yet, we forget to thank him.

Sometimes, at the end of a day, when self-pity overrides the satisfaction of being a parent, when wiping yet another bottom and feeding yet another mouth seems so redundant that you can quickly allow yourself to focus on it's portions of unfulfillment, we quickly forget to thank him.

For thanking a bottom to wipe, for food to put in that whiny mouth, for the ability to be home and raise up that child to who he or she should be.

We forget.

And yet, that's all we are looking for... when you give so much all.day.long. And you often don't receive but a "thank you, Mommy"!

Now, put yourself in His shoes. He provides for us. He cleans up our messes. He comforts. He lovingly disciplines. He accepts us for our flaws, quarks, and weeknesses. He encourages us. He molds us to who we are to be. And we forget to thank him.

I had a very nice evening with my husband, and part of that was recognizing God's provision for us and being grateful for the opportunity to be parents...so that we get to experience what it's like to love unconditionally and sometimes not receive that appreciation we deserve.

It sure reminds us to be grateful and give our Maker the thanks He deserves!

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his love endures forever".

Psalm 107:1