It's happened again. Awake at 5:00am. Oh well, I'll write. There's much to share right now anyway. Thanksgiving is next week, and my daughter and her family are coming in just a few days. My brain is going 90 miles an hour, thinking of all the things I need to do, buy, get ready for...so very many things. And yet, this is my favorite time of year. It's beginning. The holidays. The decorations, the food, the family, the friends. Shopping, wrapping, eating, laughing. These are the things that make my heart happy.
I woke up with a lot on my mind. Friends and family who've lost loved ones. Thinking about those empty chairs around the table this year, thinking about the sadness and depression that will hit some full force at the holidays. So, I laid there in bed and prayed. And I felt God's heart breaking, as mine did also. I know it's hard for some. Even in my own family, it's hard. Even among my dear friends, this can be a hard time of year. I did the only thing I could do for them--I prayed. Not just a little contrite prayer either. I prayed hard. I cried for them, I wept with them. And in my mind's eye, I held them, told them it would be ok. Told them I loved them and that one day, things might look just a little brighter for them, a little better, a little easier. I hope so anyway. Sadness saddens me. I have one of those bleeding hearts, remember? If you're sad, I'm sad. And that's why I pray.
I woke up also with such a feeling of thankfulness and such a grateful heart. This will be my 44th holiday season with my husband. Well, married that is--46 if you count dating, And yes, we spent the holidays together even when we dated. We were inseparable, much like today. As I lay there in bed, thinking, praying, I thanked God for my relationship with this man of mine. I think it just might be quite unique. You see, we still like each other. We love being together, traveling, exploring, going on adventures. And, as I watch him working outside in our backyard, or just talking with a neighbor--I can't help but feel those waves of love for him wash over me. He truly is the love of my life. Thankful? Oh yes.
And then, there are my children. The out-of-towners are coming soon, the in-towners are coming over, we'll have a full house for sure, and that's just how I like it. Our house is small but homie. And when they are all here, my heart almost bursts with love and pride. I have the most wonderful children. And they've married the most wonderful spouses. And then, oh and then--there are all those grandkids. Seven of them. Seven to love on, buy for, cook for, laugh with, and tease. Thankful? Oh yes.
I woke up also thinking about my friends and where God has placed us. This neighborhood and town, this street, and house. It's actually a miracle. I'm so happy. I'm so thankful. I'm so grateful. I have the most awesome friends. If I wrote about even a little portion of what they've done for me and what they mean to me, I'd be writing a book. I've been blessed beyond measure, my cup really does runneth over. Thankful? Oh yes.
Yes, I have much to be thankful for. And, I am. Very. However, I also realize that some aren't thankful or grateful right now. And that's ok. Because I'm here to hold them up to God in prayer. I'm here if they need me for anything at any time. My home is always open to them. And I believe they know that. At least I hope they do. I have a saying that I constantly repeat--when I make a friend, I make a friend for life. No matter what has ever transpired between us, intentional or not--you are still my friend. If you've hurt me, or I've (unknowingly) hurt you, you're still my friend. I am always here for you 24/7, no questions asked. No apologies necessary, I'm still your friend. I love you, I care about you and yes, I'm thankful for you.
So there it is in a nutshell. I am grateful, thankful and full of love for my family and friends--far and wide, near and close. I have enough joy for us all. I love my God, my family, and my friends. My prayer for you all this Thanksgiving is that something in your life shifts. That something happens in such a miraculous way, that you know it's a God thing. That your heart changes into one of gratefulness, and thankfulness, and that you know how much God loves you.
Yep, that's my prayer for you this year. If you only realize one thing, if you can only be thankful for one thing--make it be for God. He loves you. He's there for you. He'll hold you. He'll heal you. He'll change your heart.
You might wonder how I know these things to be true. Well, He did it for me. Thankful? Oh yes.
