A couple of nights ago, when I was in the throes of the hard stuff, one of my friends called. I told you yesterday that she called to encourage me with the account of how God had worked in the sale of her house last year.
But there's more. She really struggles with her health. We're the same age, but her body has revolted on her in so many ways {won't spill the details since I didn't ask for permission}, and she struggles with things most people don't even think about doing on a daily basis. Her mobility. Her diet. So much more is affected by these diseases and disorders that settle over her fiercely.
And yet I must tell you, she doesn't complain. Ever. Much of her quality of life has been taken from her, and while she'll admit it's hard or disappointing, she says {with a true smile in her voice} that it's okay because...and then she'll fill in the blank with things that are going right. Things that are blessings. Things that give her cause for thankfulness.
She doesn't reach for them. She keeps them right there at the front. They are her focus. Always.
I was convicted by her call, because while I still firmly believe it is okay to admit discouragement and have a little {huge} meltdown when life is hard, I am also reminded that for every discouragement, I have a billion blessings that deserve a bigger platform than I'm giving them. Just hearing her share hers has pushed me to want to find mine.
So here we go. A couple notes of gratitude from me on this Thursday.
* Even on the hardest day, Ryan makes me laugh. Whether he makes a goofy face that I just cannot resist, or he breaks out one of his silly voices or just tells jokes, he always makes me laugh. This is a gift that I do not take for granted. I'm thankful for his presence, his sense of humor and the natural gift he has to be able to help me refocus into joy. I appreciate that so much.
* Working with and for Lynne Ford is a gift and a treasure that I cannot even fully explain to you. I appreciate her wisdom {which she shares freely}, her prayers {which she offers frequently}, her generosity, her kindness, her compassion, and her gift of laughter. I have had many great supervisors and co-workers in my day, and I appreciate them all, but having Lynne in my life in this season is a blessing beyond measure.
And because sometimes I like to have Ryan help me blog, I asked him for two things that he's thankful for right now. He said...
* I'm thankful for a wife who supports me and encourages me in ways that I didn't know were possible. Her wit and clever sense of humor always keep me laughing and upbeat. People at work have said, "With you having a job where you talk all day and with your wife being in radio, is it quiet at your house at night?" The answer is a resounding NO! I am so thankful there is never a dull moment around our home and thankful for a wife that loves to communicate like I do. {Editorial note: minus the meltdowns. I am the sole owner of those.}
* I am also thankful for my mother. One of the most special things in my life has been my relationship with my mother. I've always been able to turn to her in the hard times and laugh with her in the good times. I can be honest about my worst flaws with her and know that she won't judge me. She always offers a listening ear, sound advice, and love. I consider her one of my best friends and we have a friendship I treasure deeply. {Editorial note: Ryan really is good to his mom and it's fun to watch them interact and laugh together.}
So apparently we're thankful for people...but so much more, too: a cozy home {times two, actually}, coffee {of course}, safety in our commutes, Braeya {most of the time}, and much more.
Want to join us in our thankful Thursday? I'd love you to make a list for yourself of the good things happening in your life today, just to help you when the hard things want to take over your mind. {And if you want to share any with us, we'll be thankful with you!}
5 comments:
I just have to share a thankful story that just happened today. My husband's baseball coach from high school and very dear friend, Jim, died on Sunday. After 20 years, they still got together and spoke on the phone several times a year. About a month ago, Jim found out that he had lung cancer. My husband, Jeremy, went to the hospital to see him and while he definitely looked ill, he didn't seem too bad. Jeremy wanted to speak with Jim about his salvation (Jim has lived a life that was definitely contrary to a life surrendered to Christ) but there were many people in the room and the time just didn't seem right so he prayed for him and planned to go back. Last Saturday, we attended a dedication service in Jim's honor in which the High School where Jeremy attended renamed the baseball field after his coach. One month removed from his diagnosis, Jim looked unrecognizable. With a thousand people there and crowding around Jim, again Jeremy simply hugged him and left making plans to visit him the very next day to talk with him about a relationship with Christ. The next morning Jeremy got on facebook to message Jim's daughter and let her know that he was coming to visit and saw the post that he had already passed away. Devastation does not even begin to touch what he felt. All sorts of irrational thoughts swirled and the question of where is God in this...He knew that we were going that very day to see him. Jeremy thought, "How did I not hear God telling me to go last night?!" He couldn't understand. And yet felt completely at fault for not going sooner. Well, today was the funeral service and at the end a man spoke about visiting with Jim several times over the last month and having multiple conversations with him about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus and how we can be assured of where we will spend eternity. A couple of weeks ago, Jim decided that if he had a day or ten years left, he would live each moment as a follower of Jesus and he did in fact become a believer. Praise God!!! God knew. Jim had already made that decision. We were so so very thankful for the man who God used to present the Gospel to Jim and so amazed that God cares enough about us that he would allow Jeremy to hear the story today of Jim's salvation so that he can know that he will see Jim again someday. So so very thankful!!! (Sorry for the long story)
Tia - I got severe goose bumps reading this story. What a faith booster - to know that God was reaching out even when Jeremy didn't know! THANK YOU for sharing this with me - and never apologize for a long story. I love stories! So thankful for this outcome, even though it's hard to lose someone you love - and so quickly!!!
Definitely a faith booster! And God cares enough about my husband to send some reassurance his way even though he didn't have to. All day and evening yesterday, with a smile on his face my husband kept saying, "I can't believe he's in heaven right now!"
And just think of the passion it will put in him now to follow through the next time he feels that nudge! That probably raised up a fire in him he didn't even know he HAD!
I'm thankful that someone else cooked supper for us last night. I'm also thankful that I get to go to Sew Be It (a women's gathering) at my church tonight. It's one of my favourite nights of the month :)
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