Thankful… So Very Thankful

As we enter this week of Thanksgiving it is a time of reflection.  I look in my diary on November 24, 2015.  It states:

I woke up at 4:15 A.M. I got out of bed and quietly walked downstairs – I needed a cup of coffee. As I waited for the coffee to be ready I gazed at the refrigerator door. It was filled with pictures of people I hold dear to my heart. School pictures and 2014 Christmas cards covered most of the space on the door. I smiled as I thought about the fact that in just a few short weeks I would be updating these pictures. It’s so much fun to see how the children have changed in just one year. The Lord has been good to me. Every one of these people is a BLESSING in my life.

Flipping to November 24, 2019, the page is blank.  I was deeply in grief.  Joy’s birthday was on November 18th.  She would have turned 33.  Birthdays were always such a special time of celebrating with Joy.  She loved the cake, candles, balloons and opening gifts. 

Joy also loved the holidays.  She loved when all her cousins, aunts and uncles gathered together.  But, I think her favorite part was the food.  Yes, definitely the food; especially, dessert. I always had to watch her so she didn’t take the whole bowl of dirt pudding for herself!

But what about today as we prepare for a week focused on gratitude and Thanksgiving to God? 

This year I have a picture on my refrigerator that my grandson drew for me.  It is a picture of him and his Pawpaw bear hunting.  I think he did a great job; especially with the camo clothing! This picture makes my heart swell because it reminds me that there is nothing more precious than family. 

I look back at the fog I was in five years ago as a result of my sadness and I feel thankful for the kind and compassionate hearts who ministered to Don and me during our deepest pain.  I especially am thankful for our dear pastor and his wife, Doug and Nancy Weygand, who were scheduled to be on vacation the week following Joy’s death.  Don and I assured them we wanted them to go on that vacation; that we would be fine.  But, they were there for us in every way possible.  They shared God’s love not only with their words, but also with their life.  We are filled with gratitude not just for what they did (and still do) but for the blessing they are and the ways they touch our lives. 

And you my sweet friends who are reading this…. You BLESS my life as well. I am THANKFUL for your presence. May the Lord BLESS you today and throughout this warm and wonderful season of THANKSGIVING.

“Enter into His gates with THANKSGIVING, and into His courts with praise: be THANKFUL unto Him, and bless His name.” - Psalm 100:4