What I’m Thankful For
I few days ago, a literary friend asked the question, “What are you thankful for?” So far, 2010 has yielded many reasons for my thanksgiving.
In February, I was blessed to turn 40. A blessing because many people didn’t make it.
In January, I became a grandmother; by my estimate too soon and not under ideal circumstances. My daughter’s labor was without complications and my grandson is adorable.
Four weeks ago I had my first mammogram. The routine exam revealed a breast lump, which led to a biopsy. During the ten days I waited for the pathology report many emotions and conflicting thoughts raged through my mind and spirit. I am a mature Christian and I know and believe what the Bible says. While I desired a benign report, I had to rememeber that God never promised me I wouldn’t suffer. What He promised was He would be with me through the suffering. Where is it written that I, Wanda Campbell, can’t endure a less than favorable report?
As I celebrated Easter Sunrise service with the community at the cementary (awesome service) I accepted the fact that whatever the results, I win. If I live a long healthy life here on earth, I win. If I transition to my heavenly, I win. With that settled, I rested in the knowledge that God had everything in control and He knows the steps I must take because He has ordered them.
I praise God, because the report was benign. But most importantly, through the process I learned to trust God with my life.
April 24th, 2010 at 4:24 am
…If the only prayer you say in your whole life is “thank you”, that would suffice in the eyes of the Lord who sees and knows all. And because, despite all the trials and tribulation we go through He knows that it’s the small things that we tend to overlook along with compromising the wherewithal to do what’s right. When we think of what thanksgiving truly mean, it goes beyond what is done in November — it’s about having an attitude of gratitude.
Gratitude so simple we oftentimes miss it while looking for a more complicated answer in our lives. We should be saying “thank you” for all the simplistic things we generally take for granted. Thus, I will always be the one to say that it’s a risk to be grateful lest we disrupt the comfort of sin that we allow to permeate our souls instead of getting it right. Yes, it was easy for me to ask “what are you thankful for”, knowing that it would have caused you to stop and REALLY think about what you SHOULD be doing. So for those of you reading this passage, stop where you are and ask the question and act upon it!
ACR
April 24th, 2010 at 8:27 am
ACR,
Being thankful is also more then reciting words. It’s a lifestyle choice that must be practiced everyday.