One of our 2 wonderful ministers asked me to give a testimony on thanksgiving yesterday as it was Thanksgiving Sunday. After trying to come up with an equally appropriate Thanksgiving post for heer, I will just share what I shared there yesterday.
One of my most favorite Thanksgiving memories is of eating at a Waffle Hut in Metropolis IL. We usually spend Thanksgiving with my husband's father and family in Metropolis. That is quite the drive from here (about 3 hrs). This particular year we had eaten a quick lunch with my family and headed off as part of a "caravan" with my husband's little brother and family (from Quad Cities - they broke their drive into 2 days). Anyway, we get to Metropolis, get checked in to our hotel rooms and decide to order pizza for supper. However, nothing was open. No pizza places, no fast food, no slow food....nothing. My sil Michelle and I were frantic trying to figure out how to feed 3 little kids (my 2 oldest and their oldest). Finally, we got ahold of the Waffle Hut. I think they thought we were funny with how relieved I was that they were open. It was late, well after 7 p.m. I was thankful that they were serving stuff other than waffles. LOL The place was busy with truckers and travelers. A very kind couple at a nearby table spent time entertaining the kids with jokes and quarter tricks. My oldest boys still remember it.
We've had a rough couple of months. Through everything we have a lot of stuff to be thankful for. Here is just a short list:
1. our friends When I thought that my world had fallen apart and I had nobody left, my friends, our friends, were there. With hugs, kind words, thoughtful actions. God used the people in my life to remind me that I wasn't alone.
2. my husband Norman is such a wonderful husband. Patient, kind and loving to me and the kids and throughout this whole situation and before, he has been a testament to mercy and grace. We are not perfect and I know that he isn't either, but he has shown great strength in the face of adversity. He is my whole world and I don't know what I would do without him.
3. my children As I said yesterday, some we worked hard to get and some showed up when we were least expecting it, but they are all so precious to me. Several days in the last couple of months they are the reason that I got up in the morning....their smiles and laughs kept me going. This stuff isn't easy for them either but they have the ability to make each day a little easier for me. I believe that God always knows what He is doing when he places children in a family :)
4. my Father God The people on earth will fail you, but I have a perfect Father in heaven. He knows how to comfort me, how to teach me and how to forgive me. No matter what. I am thankful that He shows His love through His word and through the actions of others.
5. my Saviour Jesus Jesus took all the wrong things I have done and will do; all the pain, suffering and punishment I deserve, and bore it all for me. That is true love. I can never repay such an offering but hope to grow more like Jesus every day.
6. my relationship with God In trials, there are 2 ways to go, forward and backward. I believe that God has used and is using our current circumstances to draw us nearer to Him. I can honestly say that I believe my relationship with God is 100% stronger than it was. God works through all circumstances and I am so thankful for that. I don't have to know the future, I just have to know who is with me on the journey.
There are so many other things to be thankful for. I encourage all of you to look at your lives and this past year (or 2 or 3) and thank God for the gifts He has given to you. Sometimes you won't even know it was a gift until you can look back.
Enjoy your family this Thanksgiving. We have a busy week so I probably won't be posting again until next week. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!
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