Time to Say, "Thank You!"

 

On the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day, I heard a simple yet stirring sermon that began with the verse at the bottom of the card I created and placed here. God used those words, written by the apostle Paul centuries ago and included in the sermon, to prompt me to feel even more thankful for the blessings that have been abundantly and freely showered upon me.

I have a thankful heart, truly I do. And I am quick to express my gratitude to the giver--and to gladly reciprocate when possible. But as I listened to the sermon and pondered the words, I thought of how often I fail to thank God, first and foremost, for all the blessings, tangible and intangible. Were it not for Him, I would not even have life, not to mention the countless blessings He has sent and continues to send. 

As I reflect on who He is and on His goodness to me, I thank Him. Then, as my mind floods with memories of people He has sent into my life bringing blessings galore, I thank Him for each one. To further express my gratitude, I plan to text them this card along with a personal note of thanks. I won't be able to thank everyone, of course. But I hope those I can contact will be encouraged to know that I am thankful for them and for their gift(s) that greatly impacted my life and brought much joy. 

Do you need to thank God--and others--for the blessings they have given to you?

Note: If you'd like to download the card and use it, feel free to do so. It is my gift to you.

He's Working!

As I read the text that popped up on the screen of my phone, my eyes filled with happy tears. I re-read the message just to be sure I'd read it correctly. Then I replied to the sender, saying, "That reminds me of these words in the song Waymaker: "Even when I don't see it, He's working."

Indeed, God had been working behind the scenes in a certain situation to change what appeared to be a definite "NO" to a resounding "YES". To say we were shocked is an understatement. 

You see, the sender had been informed that a door of opportunity had been closed. Yet, suddenly--and with no effort on her part--the door swung open. Since she had kept her hands off the matter and had accepted the "NO," we realized that the reversal had to be a "God thing."

How grateful we are for that awesome change of circumstance, as well as for every other evidence that He is working day by day in our lives. In fact, as the song says, "He never stops working." 

As I reflect on that, these words to an old song come to mind: "Oh, for grace to trust Him more."

Why?

I’ve often read the story* about the sudden storm that popped up one day when Jesus and His disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. Although such sudden storms are fairly common on that body of water, they cause great fear as waves, some ten feet tall, batter boats and threaten lives.

Sea of Galilee.
Photo by Arvid Olson from Pixabay

Apparently, the water was calm when Jesus and His disciples set out across the lake. So, Jesus, who surely must have been tired from having dealt with the throngs of people who surrounded Him wherever He went, decided to sleep while the disciples navigated to their destination. However, when the storm raged, they cried out, “Master! Master! We’re going to drown.”

Jesus stood up. He commanded the waves and the wind to quiet down. They did. Much to the relief of the disciples (and those in nearby boats), the lake became as smooth as glass. 

Some translations use these words to state Jesus’ question: “Where is your faith?” But The Message paraphrases the question this way: “Why can’t you trust me?” (See Luke 8:25)

I couldn’t get past those words. They compelled me to stop and ponder the question that demanded an answer from me.

Like the disciples, I know I can trust Jesus. He has done great and mighty things for me--and for others. Yet, each time a new crisis appears, I forget how He has helped me in the past. I fail to realize that He is still with me, still able to do far more than I can imagine, still willing to come to my aid. Thus, I struggle to answer the probing question Jesus asked, “Why can’t you trust me?” (See Luke 8:25)

Am I unable to trust Him or am I choosing not to?

After all, as the song Evidence points out, there is much proof that He is worthy of my trust and has, in fact, proven that again and again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lDvD-O9xhg

* Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25

Today

 One morning as I talked by phone with my daughter, she said, “What do you have planned for today?”

“Nothing is on my calendar, but I will do many things.” After mentioning several of them, I added, “It feels good to have an open day and not have to hurry, hurry, hurry.”

After the conversation ended, I remembered this poem I had read earlier that morning:

 

Today

So here hath been dawning

Another blue Day;

Think wilt thou let it

Slip useless away.

 

Out of Eternity

This new Day is born;

Into Eternity,

At night, will return.

 

Behold it aforetime

No eye ever did:

So soon it forever

From all eyes is hid.

 

Here hath been dawning

Another blue Day:

Think wilt thou let it

Slip useless away.

~ Thomas Carlyle, a Scottish essayist, historian and philosopher (1795-1881)

 

Although the language is outdated and the punctuation rather odd, his probing question is relevant today--and every day. Will we, dear reader, let God's gift of this new day "slip useless away"? Or will we thank God for it and use it in ways that please and honor Him and bless others?

Designed by Johnnie Ann Gaskill

After the Dark Times

Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas and Louisiana in August 2017, causing catastrophic flooding and more than 100 deaths. The category 4 devasting hurricane meandered over eastern Texas for four days, dumping three to five feet of water in many areas. In its wake, more than 100 people died. Hundreds of thousands of homes were flooded. More than 17,000 people were rescued. 30,000 people were displaced.

As the storm approached, Kathy and John decided not to leave their home (where they had lived for 30 years) because John’s emphysema and a heart condition and Kathy’s recent knee replacement surgery made it hard for them to get around. But when it became obvious that they needed to get out of their house, it was too late.

They watched helplessly as the water rose inside their home.

When the water finally receded, the house was a mess and needed extensive repairs.

An insurance adjustor walking down the street of abandoned houses noticed a debris pile in front of Kathy and John’s house. Even though it was the only indication that someone might be living there, he knocked on the door.

After learning about their situation, he contacted a non-profit organization that partners with community groups to build and rehabilitate homes for people in need.

Everything except the brick was rebuilt. The house now has a new roof, siding, bathroom, drywall, kitchen island and cabinets, etc. Kathy had the privilege of choosing the colors.

The estimated cost of the repairs was $75-80,000. Yet, the homeowners only paid what they received from their insurance company and/or FEMA.

Reflecting on that awful experience, Kathy said, “I pinch myself all the time about this house. I would never have believed this could happen.” With tear-filled eyes, she said, “Even if this is our last Christmas together, it will be in a beautiful house.”

Only hours before I read that story, a friend had texted me this message: “Some of the darkest paths will lead you to the brightest places.”

Later that same day, a friend encouraged me with these words: “Some of our hardest trials lead to places of greatest blessing.”

Indeed!

To the Rescue

As I walked from the kitchen to the landing at the top of the stairs that lead to the garage floor, I noticed a female hummingbird flying hither and yon near the high ceiling of the garage. I had no idea how long she’d been trying to find her way to the outside. And I didn’t have time to help her since I needed to arrive on time at the doctor’s office.

When I returned an hour or so later, she was still flying around and around even though I’d left the double-car garage door open. I knew the tiny hummer was exhausted and panic-stricken. Yet, I didn’t know how to help her. Even if I had taken a broom and tried to usher her toward the opening, I was too short to get it near her.

I prayed, “Lord, help me think of a way to help her.”

Then this idea popped into my mind: She’ll be attracted to the red single-stem tulip in a red vase in the living room.

I hurried to get it. I placed it on the small table in the garage. Afterward, I stood on the landing for a minute or so to see what she’d do. She continued flying around and around.

Then I thought, I can put water in the base of the hummingbird feeder I washed this morning.

I followed through with that idea, feeling quite proud of having come up with two creative solutions. When I returned to the landing, the little hummer was trying to sip from the silk flower. Even though she found nothing nourishing there, she was able to see the way out of the garage. In a flash, she was gone.

As I brought the vase and flower and the base of the feeder inside, I said, “Thank You, Father, for helping me save one of Your tiny creatures.”

I’m like that tiny bird. I sometimes get myself into situations that I don’t want to be in, situations that I never intended to be in and can see no way out of. When that happens, I am so thankful for those God sends to rescue me. I am especially thankful He sent His Son to set me free from the sin that entangled me and would have resulted in spiritual death and separation from God for all eternity. 

Connection

Around 7:30 one morning, I walked outside my house and paused a moment on the driveway before beginning my daily walk. Like the doe I wrote about in the previous blog post, I needed to make sure no danger was lurking nearby.  

Much to my surprise, when I looked to my right, I saw the right rear flank of a deer, but the rest of its body was hidden by scuppernong vines. I readied my cell phone camera and then coughed softly, hoping the slight noise would startle the deer just enough to cause it to reposition itself but not enough to make it bolt. My tactic worked.

The deer backed up a bit in order to see the source and location of the noise.                                                                                                                    

I gasped with delight, not fear, when I saw a young buck. He stood stone still while I snapped a couple of photos. After I lowered my phone, we continued to make eye contact with each other for several seconds before he fled toward his home in the woods.

As I began my walk, I continued to feel the joy of that momentary connection. I thanked God for it—and the photos! I remembered that God wants all His creation to live in harmony. But since sin entered the world ages and ages ago and disrupted the peace and harmony and replaced it with antagonism, the creatures experience only rare and fleeting moments of connectedness (and trust!) that God desires to be the norm.

Innumerable reversals will occur one future day when God sets all things right. The prophet Isaiah mentioned many of them, including these:

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,

The leopard shall die down with the young goat,

The calf and the young lion and the fatling together;

And a little child shall lead them….

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,

For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD

As the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 11:6-9, NKJV

 

It’s hard to imagine such peace and harmony, such absence of fear and danger and aggression, isn’t it?

But all those miracles, and countless others, will happen when God says the time is right. Until then, I relish even brief moments of connection.

The Doe and I

In Your presence is fulness of joy; 

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

Psalm 16:11 

 

The doe emerges from the edge of the woods and pauses before she ventures onto my lawn. After turning her head to the left and to the right to assess the safety of the space, she steps cautiously onto the grass. Still alert for possible danger, she strolls toward the pear tree so laden with fruit that one of the branches has fallen off and now lies on the ground. After she nibbles on a green pear, she wanders around the perimeter of the backyard in search of clover and other treats. 

As I watch her, I wonder, Why is she alone? Where are the other does that frequented the yard this time last year? Have they moved elsewhere? Or been killed on the highway? Does she have a fawn that’s too young to venture into the yard?

I hope she does, for I so enjoy seeing young ones grow up and slowly learn how to live in the adult world. And I want her to have a relationship that brings her joy. 

I sense a kindred spirit with the doe. I, too, am alone since my husband passed away six months ago. I, too, am learning to engage in self-care while also making careful decisions about how best to proceed in my current situation. Like the doe, I dare to venture alone into a wider world but then return to the spaces that feel more familiar—and less frightening. After I’ve spent time in seclusion, I summon courage to emerge again to experience the pleasures outside my four walls.  

If the doe and I could converse with each other, perhaps we’d discuss strategies we’re using to ease the ache of aloneness. I’d assure her that God is my Maker and Sustainer—and hers—and that He knows what we need. I’d also tell her that being in close relationship with Him brings me joy despite the loneliness in my heart.

Although she can't understand words, I’d also click on this link, and together we’d listen to the song, Your Presence, Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zEiiZi2DKk 

Happy Faces. Happy Hearts.

 Below is the content of a blog post I created in June 2015. Enjoy.

Since childhood, I’ve known the song that says, “If you’re happy and you know it then your face will surely show it.”

I was reminded of that recently when I photographed children attending an event in our community. A few were “glum chums.” Others wore bland expressions. But some had such a radiance on their sweet faces that I was immediately drawn to them. They made my job easy, for I didn’t even have to try to coax a smile out of them. All I had to do was take the picture!

Regretfully, I failed to ask permission to post their pictures here. But if I could post them, you’d immediately see the HUGE difference a genuine smile makes. The eyes light up. The face is relaxed. There’s a warmth and a gentleness on it, which is so appealing.

So, I’ll post two photos: one of my Daddy, taken many years ago; and one I took of myself recently while seated near a window in our dining room. Like Daddy, I have a perpetual smile. Like him, I have a glad heart, even when life isn’t one big happy, happy. And, as the song says, the inner happiness (and joy, gladness, cheerfulness) shows up on the face.

A glad heart makes a cheerful face….

~Proverbs 15:13, ESV

Meaningful Memorials

In celebration of Memorial Day, American flags line streets in towns large and small. Flags wave proudly on the grounds of public buildings. Flags flap on residential lawns in response to gentle breezes. Small flags border a huge, raised bed near the front entrance to a nursing home near my house. 

Special ceremonies have been scheduled throughout the USA. Some desserts served at picnics or other gatherings will feature the red, white, and blue colors found on the American flag. Some towns host Memorial Day parades to commemorate soldiers who lost their lives while serving in the armed forces. Graves of the fallen have been decorated with flags or wreaths.

Because we live such hectic lives, we need special days, foods, and activities to remind us to remember someone or something too important to forget. That’s been true throughout the centuries. Even in Old Testament times, people were instructed to observe certain days and/or to construct a memorial of some sort to help them recall a person or an event that impacted their lives.

For example, the seventh chapter of the book of 1 Samuel mentions a memorial the prophet Samuel made from a large stone and placed between two towns. Its purpose? To remind all who saw it of how faithfully God had helped them and, by implication, would continue to do so.

Do you take time out of your busy life to observe Memorial Day and other special days, like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day? Do you have objects that trigger memories of important people and events? Do you pause to give thanks for them?

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, 

and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” 

1 Samuel 7:12-13, NKJV

Grief and Gratitude

As I write these words, today is day 116 since my husband passed away. I’ve felt particularly sad and lonely today, which happens when I stay home all day and don’t keep busy, busy, busy. Obviously, activities and conversations mask the grief. But, oh my, I feel the full force of it when I’m alone and not focusing on projects and other tasks on my to-do list. But sometimes I have no choice but to let my tired body rest.

To escape the grief, I went to visit a friend in a nearby nursing home. She was delighted to see me, for she deals with griefs of her own. I was happy to be with her. We talked of many things as we sat outside while relaxing in the sunshine and listening to the birds chirping as they flew among the branches of the trees and boxwoods.

When I returned home, I noticed the first rose of the season on the bush my husband had planted years ago. My heart filled with happiness when I saw it, thankful that the work he had done long ago was lifting my spirits. I looked around the yard and saw not one, but two, pink and white amaryllis blooms--bigger than my palm--with other buds in the background. Once again, I felt grateful for his planting them.

As with most things these days, even a happy thought of days gone by can lead to tears as I realize those days are gone. He will plant no more flowers. But I can enjoy the ones he planted, even as I brush away the tears. 

Every day, I see other gifts he left behind, each a reminder of his love. And I whisper a heartfelt thank you to him and to God who gave us many years together as husband and wife, years when we made wonderful, now bittersweet, memories.