Sunday, November 20, 2011

Gratitude is the best attitude

I read recently where if the only prayer you said in your whole life was "thank you" it would suffice.

I have been saying "thank you" alot lately and in part it is because of a "homework" assignment our interim pastor gave us at the beginning of the month. He challenged us at the end of each day in November, to journal three things that we give thanks. He also challenged us to write a note of thanks to someone ....either on this earth now or even someone in our life that may have already passed. Seal the envelope and give it to that person at an appropriate time. If the letter is to someone that was important in your life that may no longer be with you, tuck the letter away for safe keeping.

I have each day, so far, written down the things that I give thanks. It sounds like acknowledging three things each day would be so easy but try it and I think you will see that on some days it is challenging. On some days it seems like I have struggled to give thanks for one thing much less three. I have found myself focusing on the negative of the day instead of the positive good things. However in doing this exercise I was reminded that I should not take so much for granted. I should give thanks each day for a roof over my head, a job, a wonderful husband, beautiful children and grandchildren, amazing family and friends, and the list goes on and on. I have reminded myself that some days it things as simple as your car cranking that I should give thanks. A new light fixture in our kitchen, a nap (something I rarely do), having a printer at work that is hooked up and working. You see what I am saying. Simple things but yet things I give thanks!

Thanksgiving should not be locked into one day of the year. I want to show and give thanks each day. So as our family gathers on Thanksgiving day, we will our hearts of gratitude....we have had an incredibly emotional year for so many reasons. We have experienced miracles of all sorts....not just the birth of babies but the rebirth of hope. God has been so good! Thank you God. Thank you! I love you!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Witness to yet more miracles in our family!

Surprising and welcome event....event to be considered divine...highly improbable or extraordinary event...marvel, wonder, amazing. All of these are phrases or terms that describe what a miracle is. Through the years, our family has experienced miracles and just within the past few weeks we have been witness to even more! God has a plan. God knows best. God is faithful. We have marveled at His plan!

Recently our nephew and his wife have been proceeding with the process of adoption. They knew in their hearts they wanted children and they were trusting God to provide them with a child. They have an amazing story to share and I want them to be the ones to tell it. I will say however they have a beautiful son named Reid Mallard Thompson. His story is one of a miracle. Welcome sweet boy.

Then on Friday evening text messages started, phone calls came, more text messages, more phone calls. Only drawback no one was finishing a conversation! When I finally did get someone to complete the conversation we learned that our niece was in labor at 30 weeks and was just before delivering. After stopping to pray, I tried to focus on getting to Charleston to be a part of the births. In the meantime I had flashbacks to the day Heather delivered Morgan Kate. When I did, I knew we were facing another situation where babies were going to be born way to soon. Babies were going to have to fight for their lives. Parents were going to experience the roller coast ride of the NICU. Parents were going to have to leave the hospital without their babies. And the list went on and on in my head. Luckily I did arrive in time to hear the news of the birth of twin girls! Again another miracle for our family...in fact two.

In the midst of all of this, I stopped to think of my sister. With the addition of these three sweet babies, a grandmother had been born. She has becomes the grandmother to three in record breaking time :) I know the source of strength she was to me during Morgan Kate's NICU days. I recall the trips home from the hospital that we talked the whole ride home. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I could count on her to be there, to listen and to offer comfort any time of the day or night. I also know beyond a shadow of a doubt, I will be there for her now. I will try to be her source of strength and comfort. And one day down the road, she and I will look back on these challenging days and laugh. All the while knowing that we were there for each other. And when I think about that day...the day where we will be laughing about all of this, I envision that we will be loving on our grands and talking about how truly blessed we are!

God bless you Reid, Abigail and Addison!