"With a thankful heart"

That's the descriptive instruction for the tempo and tone of one of the songs we're playing and singing on Easter Sunday, "With a thankful heart."

There is so, so much to be thankful for. God's provision and answers to prayers has been incredibly vivid and tangible lately.

• A wonderful car for a friend, which is an answer to many months of prayers
• Overwhelming prayer support and financial provision for the trip over spring break. It has been an amazing blessing to connect with people I haven't heard from in years and to hear their encouraging words
• Time and energy to get school work done, especially this thesis that has been a two-year project
• Acceptance to just one medical school...which is close to family and potentially the best school for the type of medicine I feel called to practice
• Freedom and peace. Each day living more in light of the sufficiency of the cross and less focused on the fading "goodness" the world offers. Even when I have struggled with thoughts of worry or jealousy or bitterness, God has taught me that asking why I'm struggling is the wrong response. Instead, he calls me to cast all my cares on him. To rely on him. To rest in his arms, his plan, his provision, his sufficiency. Simply put to rest in Him. That's quite possibly the best advice I've ever been given.