I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Happy Thursday! Thankful Thursday!
I haven't participated in Thankful Thursday's for quite some time. I need to get back on track with this. It helps my state of mind to focus on the things I have to be thankful for, instead of complaining about what I perceive as something unfair.
I recently read a blog written by a woman who has a child with a medical condition. She wrote about how her child's condition has led her to some relationships with wonderful people...people she wouldn't have known if it were not for the condition her child has. Her husband made the comment "Have you thanked God yet for our child's condition?". This made her stop in her tracks as she hadn't thought about their journey as something to be thankful for.
It made me stop in my tracks also. We have a son who has numerous medical and emotional conditions. One of those is autism. We have had a rough couple of months. The day I read her post I was myself asking God "why?" and complaining about these things. Why does our son have to go through so much each day? Why does our family have to go through this? Why can't we just have a normal day? It never had occurred to me to give thanks for what we are going through.
Autism is not a fun journey, but it is one that God chose for us to go through. While I don't fully understand why (or even need to), I do need to choose thankfulness for this journey. We have also met some wonderful people through this journey. We have great doctor's and therapists. We have learned sooo much. We have failed often, but get the grace to start each day fresh.
It took a post written by someone who doesn't know anything at all about our situation to open my eyes. Yes, some days are hard. But we have someone to lean on during those times. Our heavenly father has strong arms. And that's exactly where we should be during the trials and struggles of life. Instead of complaining about how hard things get, or how much of a struggle it is to get through some days....I need to be thankful. Thankful for my situation. Thankful for what it will show me and where it will bring me. Thankful that God is with me all the way.
What can you give thanks for today?
For more thankful thoughts, please visit this month's host, Laurie, at Women Taking A Stand.
Blessings,
Amen -- gratitude is indeed a choice. Thanks for this reminder that God is in control and has a purpose for our good.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what our lives look like, we do not have control over their particular shape, but God, who is Rich in Mercy, IS in control of ALL the situations and relationships that we open our hands to give Him control over. I say this as someone with WAY different circumstances: single and never been married at 56, caring for my elderly parents, dealing with their wants and needs, and with them 'steering things' at times. Somehow, we think if our lives were tweaked one way or another, we would be more thankful. The truth is; God looks at our success as WE relate to our OWN relationships/situations with eyes of love to Him and Thankfulness! May we all have the Grace to be Thankful today in the midst of what we view as mundane and very ordinary! Blessings!
ReplyDelete