For This I Am Thankful

I wanted to write the typical Thanksgiving post...what are you thankful for, but in light of today's events and today's problems it almost seems plastic.  So, I would like to get real and just say some things from my heart and hopefully it will touch your heart.

When we see wars, death, terrorism, persecutions, sin being legalized in our own country, a great falling away from the faith, and just the stresses we face each day, sometimes it may be hard
to focus on the things that we are, or need to be, thankful for.

While I'm penning these words, I get a call from a dear Tennessee friend and pastor, who became part of our family because of his close relationship to my sister.  He was so good to her and my sister loved him like a son and through their friendship, he became my friend.  He just called to encourage me and tell me that he is praying for me and my family.  For this, I am very thankful.

Through trials with my grandson, which brings feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, I get a text from a dear friend that just says, "are you okay" and I cry because someone cared enough to ask.  There was no long conversation, no opinions, no advice, just a simple question that showed a heart of love.  For this, I am thankful.

When I get a call from a friend who lets me vent my frustrations, my heartaches, my anger, my troubles and she listens without judging me or condemning me, for this I am thankful.

As I struggle through difficulties and deaths, there are some things that can help make the day a little easier to face.  As all grandparents know, there is just something about the sound of those voices of our grandchildren, there is just something about those smiles and there is just something about those arms around our necks in a sweet hug.  When times get overwhelming, I text my kids "I need a picure" and immediately, through the wonders of electronics, I get a smile on my phone of one of those faces that makes my heart smile.  For this I am thankful.





During those times I get a phone call from my granddaughter when her house is in distress, when she's scared and just needs to hear someone's voice, I am so happy that I can be of some comfort, some consolation.  For this I am thankful




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One of my granddaughters came to my house the other day and kept repeating, "Mimi, I 'misted' you so much" and kept giving me hugs, it made the troubles of my heart seem so small.  When she left and said, "You will always be my Mimi and I will love you forever and ever" (and yes, her goodbyes are always this dramatic), she gave me something to cherish.  For this I am thankful.




My sons and my husband took me to a West Virginia basketball game the other day, even though my stepdad had just passed and I wasn't much company, they still wanted me to go with them.  They wanted me to have a good time in spite of everything.  For this I am thankful.




 
Two little granddaughters came to visit, we took pictures, played in the floor, and made ghost cookies that we couldn't eat unless we made ghost sounds of ooooooh in a high pitched voices.  There was lots of hugs, kissing faces, chocolate, toys, songs, and dog hugs.  For this I am thankful.








When I told my stepdad goodbye on my last visit, I didn't realize it would be the last goodbye.  And although death is so painful for the living, it can have consolations.  My stepdad was supposed 
to go home on Monday because, once again, he had come through unbelievable circumstances.  He had lived through a brain aneurysm, five brain surgeries, feeding tube for 15 years, and several bouts with pneumonia.

The doctor came in and was just giving him the speech of take care of yourself because you're going home today.  My stepdad just smiled (which he does a lot when he doesn't actually hear what you're saying).  I believe he understood that day.  He looked at my nephew and, in his whispery voice, said, "I'm going home."  My nephew told him that he knew that so he was going to go on to the house and get everything ready for him.  Once again my stepdad said, "I'm going home."   And once again my nephew told him that he understood.  He was going to get it all ready.  My stepdad then said, "No.  You don't understand.  I'm going Home" and he closed his eyes and entered heaven.  For this I am very thankful.

Psalms 107:1 - O give thanks unto the LORD, for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.