thankful

I don’t believe Thanksgiving is just a season. We should constantly be in a mind of giving thanks.

We all have an abundance of opportunities each day to be grateful. It could be the kind clerk behind the counter. It could be the honest mechanic who will fix the actual problem with your vehicle. It could also be the teacher who enjoys his pupils. Or it could be the nurse who enjoys taking care of her patients.

There are many reasons to be thankful for people. There are many reasons to be thankful for situations also.

Our youngest son was involved in a head on vehicle accident yesterday morning. We have much to be thankful for.

‘Somehow’ the paramedics and state troopers were notified. There was special equipment to extricate everyone from the vehicle. There were plenty of emergency vehicles to transport people to multiple facilities.

They were able to contact his fiancé and she contacted his dad. Tim was already in town and only had a 15 minute drive to the hospital instead of 30 minutes. After multiple nights of little sleep, the night before the accident, Tim and I both slept soundly.

Tim was able to witness the love his fiancé has for our son. She wouldn’t leave his side. The hospital was conducting a mass casualty drill during this time so there were many employees available to help assess the injuries. Ben’s head, chest and abdomen were clear. He has a cast on his arm and a splint on his finger.

Many lives changed yesterday morning because of the accident – most I will never know of. We have much to be thankful for. God, you are good. All the time. I don’t understand but I trust You. Help us to be grateful even in the hard times.

25 Years in the Making

More or less.

When you finally breathe life into something you’ve thought about and dreamed about for so many years, it’s a bit surreal.

Many years ago, a friend and I would take a greeting card and write a Bible verse inside with a note to encourage the recipient to add a verse and send it to someone else. It was fun when the cards circled back to us and were full of different verses.

People enjoyed getting real mail. And they enjoyed reading positive words. People still do. With that in mind, I finally launched Go God Designs. (http://goGoddesigns.myshopify.com)

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue….” Proverbs 12:18 says, “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Words matter. We can all remember the feelings of hurt and rejection. We have felt abandonment and pure hatred when someone said what they said or texted what they thought.

Sometimes, we replay those words in our minds. That is, sometimes we speak the horrible words someone else said to us over ourselves. Stop it!

We need to stop speaking death over ourselves. We need to stop speaking death to others.

My prayer is that when people read the words of these cards, they will remember who they are. I hope they will also remember whose they are. I pray they will brighten someone’s day and refocus them towards Jesus.

Send them anonymously or write a personal note. Stash it in someone’s notebook or leave it on a seat addressed as simply “For You!” Post it on your fridge or bathroom mirror.

25 years (or so) is a long time to dream. But I am so very thankful to the Lord for helping me every step of the way. So very thankful.

Mom’s Day

During church last night, our pastor reminded everyone that it is Mother’s Day this next Sunday. Then he asked for a show of hands of people who are the product of a praying mother. A lot of hands went up. Mine did.

But what captured my thoughts, were seeing the number of people who did not raise their hands.

I was again reminded of what a gift a praying mom is. And so, I’m reading Proverbs 31:10-31 with my mom in mind.

My dad became an overseas missionary much later in life and his health continued to decline. Mom would travel with him to help out where she could. I remember asking one time why she didn’t ask him to stop traveling. It was difficult maneuvering the airports (dad needed assistance and a wheelchair.) They were both hurting physically every time they traveled.

Mom said, “I would feel as though I were taking away his dessert.” She knew dad’s time was short and didn’t want him to miss out on possibly the best time. Verse 12, “She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”

Money seemed to always be tight but there was always enough. Sometimes, that meant that mom had to work outside the home. Verse 17, “She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.”

I was asked to go to a dance. She made my dress. She made several items of clothing for me – first day of school, bridesmaid, prom. Verse 19, “In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.”

She may not be as active as she once was but, she still manages to make a difference to people. She gives rides to those who need it. Gives little gifts to the grands. Cleans the kitchen. Cares for Xena, the wonder dog. Verse 20, “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”

Tim and I both know that she prays for us. She continues to support and pray for her children, their families, and others. I know that I am the product of a praying mom. I know that is a blessing and a legacy that I continue.

Verses 30-31, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Thanks, mom. For everything.

Thankful

It was a beautiful Tuesday morning. Spring in Alabama.

The sky was a wonderful blue. The trees are budding along with the wisteria and azaleas.

I know for many people the pollen makes this time of year more enjoyable from inside. Thankfully, I do not suffer with allergies as others do.

We were scheduled for early morning and we were the first patients of the day. Tim had his choice of treatment chairs. They didn’t look very stylish but they recline and are heated.

Annabelle was his nurse and she was great. She and Tim bantered back and forth like they had known each other for years. When she was about to find a vein, I walked away and studied the wall.

I noticed the long hallway of similar rooms – 6 treatment chairs each. People were starting to find their spots. The room where Tim was started to fill. So many people.

Tim was there for an iron IV. Others for chemotherapy treatment.

The iron started to flow without any negative side effects. I took the time to walk outside. I walked around the building several times. It is a large building with different parking areas. I counted three available spaces. So many people.

I walked through the lobby and noticed it was full. So many people in various degrees of health. Some with support people and others by themselves. Some conditions were noticeable and others were unseen.

As I made my way back to where Tim was, I was granted access at the opposite end of that long hallway. So many people.

Some nurses were talking to Mr. Patterson. They noticed his new haircut and asked about a recent trip. He apparently is a regular.

This experience has overwhelmed me with gratitude. I am so thankful for medicine and for health care workers. People who love what they do in caring for others in a vulnerable state.

Thankful for volunteers who cheerfully give coffee, mints and chocolates to patients. Thankful for the janitor who greets everyone with a cheerful hello and good morning as she pushes her cart.

Thankful for my sweet husband who rarely complains. Thankful for health. Thankful for my body that can move.

Always be thankful. God is so very gracious.