Your Last Normal Weekend?

What would you do if you knew your life was going to change DRASTICALLY tomorrow? Would you spend more time with your family? Would you . . . ? Forget the questions. You can think of things you may do different on your own.

I find myself not thinking about "Giving Thanks Today." Today has become a milestone on the calender. A date, a weekend, a point in my life when my world changed.

For me - on this day of "Thanksgiving", I look back over the last three years and all we have endured. Three years ago this weekend was our last "normal" weekend. It was the last time Wiley drove. It was the last time we we were not wondering, "Will we be rushing to the hospital tonight?" Will there be a breakdown? And even tougher questions like, "Will Wiley be with us tomorrow?" For three years, we have had to wonder about these questions and a ton more every day.

That Thanksgiving three years ago was the last holiday with all families. That Christmas was celebrated in the ICU with Wiley medicated and hooked up to monitors, tubes, and machines not really knowing we were there or what day it was. He was unaware that 4 days earlier that had almost pronounced him dead. Stacy's Dad went home to be with the Lord right after that holiday.

There have been no easy holidays since then. Please understand, I am very grateful the blessings I have received through my life - my salvation, my parents, my wife, my sons, My friends, my health, . . . and the list goes on. My full list would take days to write. We have been so blessed even for the last three years. It's true, we have faced many adversities. We have been blessed in the middle of these storms.

Have you ever thought, "What is there to be thankful for?" I have! There have been times when I was down. Times when I was in the middle of a "pity party." Intellectually I know, I HAVE BEEN BLESSED. But emotionally, I struggle to be truly thankful. I would love to say am always thankful. I would LOVE to be able to say that. One day may be able to always say that. I pray I can.

I pray every day for God to use me as a minister wherever satan drags me. In my weakness, when I am broken, I pray for God to shine through me and in spite of me. When I struggle to make it through the day, I lean on God to carry me. And, He does.

On the day for "Giving Thanks", it's hard. It's tough to face my struggles with a heart of thanksgiving. But I do. I am so very thankful for the blessings and mercies God has shown me.

I want to encourage you - Be thankful.