Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING

“I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭9:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬
“All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬
Over the years I have joined many others on Face Book starting Nov 1 counting down the days to thanksgiving by sharing each day something I was grateful for.  This year I am simply blogging what I am grateful for.    I am going to start by telling who I am grateful for my Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  I belong to them and they belong to me.  I  am so grateful for my Father’s steadfast love, grace, and mercy.  That Jesus my Lord and Savior plans my day and the Holy Spirit walks with me 24/7 each day.  As I have learned to trust and surrender, the peace and comfort has touched me in a powerful way.

Next I am grateful for Ed, my better – half for 55 ½ years of marriage. No, our marriage hasn’t been a storybook romance like you see on TV or the movies, sometimes a roller coaster ride. But Jesus our Lord and Savior walking with us has taught us how to compromise, love each other more than self.  Each experience brings us closer each day.  Our Father knew we needed each other.  Ed is the love of my life and brings out the best in me.

This brings me to my next blessing, children: God blessed us with three beautiful children – Kari Jo, Ronald Marc, and Jon Michael.  They have given us so many memories through the years and still are.  We lost Ron to cancer June 25, 2003.  Do we miss him? Yes of course we do.  Do we want him back? No!  We know he is in a better place.  He is experiencing all of God’s glory. Our goal is to join him one  day.   Kari Jo married an amazing man Chad which has become our son, and Jon Michael married Lori, who is awesome and she has become our daughter.  Both families have blessed us with 11 grandchildren.  Now the grandchildren are growing up and 5 have began families of their own. We now have been blessed with 7 great grandchildren and number 8 is due any day.  I am grateful for my brother and his family as well as Ed’s two sisters, brother and their families.

I once bargained with the Lord to love every child He placed in my path as much as my own children, if he would but answer my prayer.  Even though I was spiritually in mature God answered yes.  I know now that I am not to try and bargain with my Father but I honor my part of the bargain and try my best to love all children God sends my way.  I am so grateful for this experience because I know my Father loves me, taught me to trust, and forgave me of my in maturity.

I am grateful for my church, faith community, Christian friends.  I am grateful that I live in a free country.  As troubled as it is with all the diversity, hate it still is better than anywhere else around the world.  I can openly confess I am a Christian and Pray.  I can share my faith openly.

I could write a book about our life’s journey and list all the blessings and little miracles Ed and I have experienced.  How God always shows up just at the right time.  We hope all people everywhere have a Thanksgiving full of wonderful blessings.