Today is Thanksgiving Day.
And I am thankful.
I am thankful that I am alive, that I am in good health,
that I am in my right mind.
I am thankful that my four children are
all serving Jesus...and
I am thankful that we have been blessed with a beautiful
home and reliable vehicles.
I am thankful that we never go hungry or without adequate clothing.
I am thankful that so many have been willing to help us
these past few years.
I am thankful that some very loyal, patient, kind, dear, and
understanding friends still love me.
I am thankful that supportive and loving family members live
close by.
I am blessed.
I am thankful that three years ago today I was able to spend
a few precious hours with my suffering husband as a sort of last date, even
though we didn’t quite know it at the time.
I am thankful he felt well enough that we could get out of
the house for a time even though that time was short.
I am thankful for the memories of the talks we had in those last months…deep…rich…focused…intense…
sometimes painful…often precious…
I am thankful for the love we shared those last few months…deep…rich…focused…all
things unimportant had been stripped away…hearts were laid bare…the two hearts
beat almost as one in a way we’d never yet experienced with the stuff of
life in control.
I am thankful for the lessons he taught me – preparing me
for the day I’d need to handle things alone…yet, not alone. For he taught me
about recognizing God’s presence in the everyday…
I am thankful my children have memories of him.
I am thankful for the investment he made in those precious
souls.
I am thankful he earned their respect and kept it.
I am thankful I can see aspects of his character and
personality in each of them…he lives on in them.
I am blessed.
I am also thankful for the challenges for they have enabled
me to learn more about myself.
I am thankful for difficult decisions for they have forced
me to trust even more in my capable and all-wise God.
I am thankful for pain-filled nights for they have allowed
me to reach in with true empathy and speak comfort to other precious hearts who
are facing that same pain.
I am thankful for loneliness for it has opened my eyes to
see others in need of a friend; those who sit alone at the side of a crowded
room…
I am thankful that the intensity of my pain has lessened somewhat
allowing me to turn more energy toward my children and ministry once again…and
that the good days outnumber the bad 6:1.
I am thankful for the many opportunities God brings my way
to share what I’ve learned on my journey…and that there are those who actually
want to listen.
I am thankful for those who believe in me and who help me
continue growing in Christ…for that is my deepest desire.
I am deeply grateful for a patient, trustworthy, loving,
faithful Heavenly Father for He, beyond all others, is responsible for my
well-being.
I would be nothing without Him.
I am
of all people
most incredibly
blessed.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for
He is good,
For His lovingkindness is
everlasting.
Psalm
107:1
I will give thanks to the Lord
with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonders.
I will be glad and exult in You;
I will sing praise to Your name,
O Most High.
Psalm
9:1-2
