Thankful

Today I am thankful that my biggest complaint is the temperature outside and the swelling that has taken over my feet and ankles.

I am thankful that my 8 year old's biggest problem is a spelling test on Friday, a slight reading disorder, a messy room and an itchy sun burned scalp.

I am thankful that my four year old biggest issue is grumpinees because I refuse to take him to his Dad's softball game in the 98 degree heat tonight. I am not his favorite person right now...In 20 minutes he will love me again.

I am thankful that this baby growing inside me is moving and showing all the signs of being healthy and perfectly formed!

I am thankful that I have a husband who works long and hard and still has the energy and desire to coach t-ball and play Tuesday night softball with the guys.

I am thankful that most of my deepest concerns for our future can be solved with a check.

What brought on this bout of thankfulness?

I was just at Kolby's school and I watched several anxious parents pick up their third graders knowing that they took the TAKS test today just a week after their third grade teacher died. I wish there was a way to make the rest of the school year vanish for these kids, but there isn't. It is hard to take your child to school everyday knowing the painful reminders they will face. I think the kids are in some ways doing better with it than the rest of us.

I drove by the house where that same teacher's two little girls wake up every day to face life with out their Mommy. My heart hurts for them and I can't understand why little girls have to deal with this. Their Dad has to be hurting on so many levels yet he has to keep it together and try to go on. It seems so unfair.

I saw a friend whose life has been torn apart by rage, deceit, and a drug addiction for the last two years. I want to have hope for her, but I just don't see it. How do you recover when you have thrown away so much?

I read the comments of a Christian struggling with the sin of homosexuality on a blog. It broke my heart. I don't understand these issues. My heart and mind can not wrap around them. So much suffering.

So without any smugness I can say I am thankful for the problems I have. My life is far from perfect. I am a very flawed being who can be self absorbed and selfish. I mess up all the time. I have made some bad choices, some even on purpose. I stumble and grumble at times when really I have no room to gripe. I deserve a lot worse than what I get. I know God has blessed me more than I ever deserve. And today I am thankful. Truly thankful.

Most of all I am thankful that I know a God who is ...
Big enough to take all these concerns to.
A God who hurts when we hurt
A God who works to make good come out of the bad.
A God who suffered and died for me.
A God who sacrificed his son for me.
A God who can see past these pains and who assures us all that even in the darkest hour there is hope.
A God who truly loves me even though he knows all my sin and flaws.

"May the sweetest prayer we ever pray simply be ... Dear Lord, THANK YOU!"