Back about 27 years ago, I had my 3rd miscarriage within 18 months. A dear older lady in the church we were in at the time, asked me if I had thanked God. I was shocked, to say the least! What a thing to ask someone who is struggling. But, aren’t we told to be thankful in all things? I remember thanking God that I already had 2 beautiful children–I know many women who have never had the joy of having their own child. In every situation, there are things for which we can be thankful. In EVERY situation.
Ten years ago, I was told I should read the book “One Thousand Gifts,” by Ann Voskamp. In her book, Ann tells of the challenge to write down 1,000 things for which she was thankful. You have to dig deep if you are going to do that. It doesn’t work just to say, “I am thankful for my family, my church, my house, etc.” I accepted that challenge, and within 10 months had finished my list of 1,000 things for which I was thankful. It had become a part of my life to write things down each morning, so I kept at it. Right now I am getting close to the 15,000 mark in my thankful journals. Little did I realize that this habit of finding the good and seeing God’s gifts to me, would carry me through the most difficult time of my life. Even as Fred was suffering physically and then left this earth to spend the rest of eternity in the presence of Jesus, God brought to my mind so many things for which I could thank Him.
Here are a few things I am thankful for when I think specifically of Fred’s death:
–he was longing for heaven!
–God healed him completely
–my children to help me get through the days when I was numb with pain
–my church family and friends around the world who poured love and prayers into me
–cards and messages
–friends who helped with the hard tasks (like calling the funeral home or hospital)
–even though we were still dealing with COVID, I could visit him in the hospital
–music to calm my heart
–assurance that Fred is with Jesus
As I continue on a path I did not choose, I will choose to be thankful and see the goodness of God on my life!
Thankful for a little trip to London with Erik.