It's the season of thanks. Everyone is talking about what they are thankful for.
But what happens when it's not that easy? We're thankful for heat, family, friends, a home, a car...
I didn't expect to spend another year away from my kids, still unable to bring them home.
3 years ago, I didn't expect that was my last holiday with Thao.
It stinks that I'm sick this holiday.
We are thankful. We name things. We watch for more. We expect more good things. Good things are so easy to be thankful for.
But what happens when those good things are hard to find. What happens when your child dies. What happens when you try so hard to be the good, to do good and it fails. What happens when people you love hurt you. What happens when the heat goes out. What happens when you work so hard and still cannot make ends meet.
Can you still be thankful?
Can you still be thankful if every single meal is only rice and beans?
I'd venture to say that for most of us, it would be a very long, hard road of anger, bitterness and why me? before we could be thankful.
I didn't expect to spend another year away from our little ones in Africa. It is taxing, emotionally, financially....and yesterday we were blessed with a gift. A reminder that God hasn't left us alone to care for these children. So we are thankful that even though they are not with us yet, we are able to provide for them.
And I could easily shut down on Thanksgiving. All the reminders of our child that we lost, our Thao and his sweet treats. I could give up celebrating because it's just too hard. I could block out the memories of him licking the last bit of cheesecake off his plate. But I won't. Because I am thankful for the vivid reminders of his life.And I will choose to be thankful.
It does stink that I have a cold this holiday. But I am thankful because I am here. Because I have family and friends and a purpose. And I've had holidays in the hospital, and a mere cold will not keep me from enjoying my family. Thankful.
Today In Jesus Calling, I read "A life of praise and thankfulness becomes a life filled with miracles."
Followed by Thao's favorite verse (or first verse he memorized) "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts....and be thankful." Colossians 3:15
As I feast today, I will choose thankfulness. But I will pray. Because my heart hurts for those that cannot feast.
As I play with my children, I will choose thankfulness. But I will pray for the children who sit alone in orphanages or on the streets.
As I consider my shopping list, I will choose thankfulness. But I will pray for those who do not know true hope and joy.
But what happens when it's not that easy? We're thankful for heat, family, friends, a home, a car...
I didn't expect to spend another year away from my kids, still unable to bring them home.
3 years ago, I didn't expect that was my last holiday with Thao.
It stinks that I'm sick this holiday.
We are thankful. We name things. We watch for more. We expect more good things. Good things are so easy to be thankful for.
But what happens when those good things are hard to find. What happens when your child dies. What happens when you try so hard to be the good, to do good and it fails. What happens when people you love hurt you. What happens when the heat goes out. What happens when you work so hard and still cannot make ends meet.
Can you still be thankful?
Can you still be thankful if every single meal is only rice and beans?
I'd venture to say that for most of us, it would be a very long, hard road of anger, bitterness and why me? before we could be thankful.
I didn't expect to spend another year away from our little ones in Africa. It is taxing, emotionally, financially....and yesterday we were blessed with a gift. A reminder that God hasn't left us alone to care for these children. So we are thankful that even though they are not with us yet, we are able to provide for them.
And I could easily shut down on Thanksgiving. All the reminders of our child that we lost, our Thao and his sweet treats. I could give up celebrating because it's just too hard. I could block out the memories of him licking the last bit of cheesecake off his plate. But I won't. Because I am thankful for the vivid reminders of his life.And I will choose to be thankful.
It does stink that I have a cold this holiday. But I am thankful because I am here. Because I have family and friends and a purpose. And I've had holidays in the hospital, and a mere cold will not keep me from enjoying my family. Thankful.
Today In Jesus Calling, I read "A life of praise and thankfulness becomes a life filled with miracles."
As I feast today, I will choose thankfulness. But I will pray. Because my heart hurts for those that cannot feast.
As I play with my children, I will choose thankfulness. But I will pray for the children who sit alone in orphanages or on the streets.
As I consider my shopping list, I will choose thankfulness. But I will pray for those who do not know true hope and joy.
Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18