Yesterday, as I reflected on the many things that I was
thankful for, I realized that my attitude has played a big part in my gratitude
over the years. For a long time, I think
I was sucked into the mentality that I should have a big house, fancy car, the
career that I’ve always dreamed of, etc. (especially by my age) to be successful.
As I compared myself to others who had those things, I felt like I was missing
out on something and that I was inadequate, and as a result, I couldn’t see and
appreciate the beauty in the things that were sitting there right in front of
me. So I don’t think I had a lot of gratitude during those years. Now that I am getting older, and I look
around me, I find myself appreciating a lot more the little things that I have and becoming more grateful, especially more so as my walk with Lord continues.
“This is the day the
Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” - Psalms 118:24. The
closer I get to 50, the more I realize that tomorrow is not guaranteed. I see death around me more and more. Just this year alone, I have seen 5 people who
I used to work with pass away. Also,
this year we were hit with a cancer scare, when two large masses were found in
my husband’s lymph nodes. Praise the Lord that they turned out benign, but
during that waiting period, just the thought that they could be cancerous was enough
to bring me to my knees and give thanks to the Lord for each day that he has
given and continues to give my husband. Every
day that I wake up, every day that my husband wakes up, I am extremely grateful
for. I try not to take my health for
granted either. To show this, for years
now as a personal Thanksgiving tradition, I get up and go to the gym and work
out. I thank the Lord for the body that He has given me, the body that still
works and enjoys things, because I know there will be a day that I won’t be
able to do this anymore. When I was at
the gym yesterday, the Lord put someone in my path who showed me even more so
how good I have it. This elderly
gentleman is a regular I see often, but I learned yesterday that he lost his
wife and daughter years ago and spends Thanksgiving alone. I saw in this man
resilience in moving on despite his heartbreak, and purpose in taking steps to
stay active and connected to others by exercising regularly. I was blessed to learn more about this man,
and it made me more aware of the fact that the holidays are very hard for a lot
of people. We should make an extra effort to pray for those who are alone
during this season that may be anything but joyous for them, and if possible,
spend some time with them, even if it’s brief.
You never know what that extra word of encouragement or love will do for
that person.
“Give thanks in all
circumstances, for this is this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18. One of the things that I struggled with the first year
of my marriage was our living situation.
We live in a small, one bedroom apartment, so at times, it can feel
small, tight and cramped. After my kids grew up and left home, I lived alone in
my quaint little apartment for 7 years, and I felt like a queen in my spacious
home, doing whatever, whenever I pleased. When I first got married, I had to downsize
quite a bit, parting with a lot of things that could not be accommodated in my
husband’s small apartment. It was hard saying goodbye. Not only was I parting
with personal things that meant something to me at one time, but I was also saying
goodbye to what I considered spacious and quiet living quarters, and more
importantly, my independence and freedom to do what and how I pleased. But no
matter how difficult that process was, I was also ecstatic, because the Lord
had now given me my life partner and best friend, and I was no longer alone. So
while I was thankful for the time I had spent alone, doing things I probably could
have never done while married, like travel and visit Israel and Rome with my
daughter, and get a great education, I am now thankful for this different chapter
in my life, that of a wife to a very godly and devoted husband. This is one that
I find myself extremely grateful for every day. Marriage has its challenges for
sure, but with Jesus in the middle, it becomes a masterpiece. Every bump in the
road is smoothed out when we turn to God’s Word. Every fear is squashed when we
go to Him in prayer. My husband is my biggest cheerleader whenever I am faced
with some difficulty. He quotes
scriptures to me all the time. He prays for me and gives me encouragement. He
is like a walking bible dictionary. Whenever I read the Word or am studying for
my women’s studies and I have a question about something, he knows the answer off
the top of his head. And whenever I have been, let’s just say, a difficult
wife, whether by mood, stress, meltdowns, etc., I know he prays for strength and
wisdom on how to deal with me. Praise the Lord for that, because I know how
difficult I can be! Being married to someone who loves the Lord first and above
all is something that I am tremendously and utterly grateful for. For all you
single ladies who are looking for a mate, I implore you to please don’t settle
for less. Wait for that man who loves the Lord with all his heart and puts God
before you or anyone else. Wait for that
man that the Lord has in store for you. It is worth the wait, I promise.
One of the most important things I have learned from my husband
is to learn to be content in all things. I think the scriptures he most often
quotes to me is “for I have learned in
whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11). I tend to stress a
little bit (ok, a LOT a bit) over finances.
Due to health reasons, my husband wasn’t able to work for a while, and I
stressed out a lot over bills and finances.
His words to me all the time were (and are) “we will be all right, we
trust in the Lord!" And yes, he is right, we are fine, and we continue to be
fine. We may not be able to do or buy what we want to all the time, but all our
needs are met. Another thing that I have
learned to embrace is our small apartment. Well-meaning people have asked “when
are you going to get a bigger place?” and at first that used to bother me quite
a bit. There is no chance of that
happening anytime soon, especially the way rents continue to soar in our area,
but I have learned to be content in our small living quarters, seeing it as my small,
safe haven, where I find rest and contentment with my husband, reading God’s Word
and trusting completely and entirely on Him. Is there any greater freedom than
that?
“And let the peace of
God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be
thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do
in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through Him.” - Colossians 3:15-17. Something else I find
myself extremely grateful for is my spiritual brothers and sisters in
Christ. The encouragement that I get
from them is priceless. There have been
so many times that I have had to drag myself to church or bible study because I
didn’t feel like going or was depressed, and I left in a much blessed and
better state than when I came in. Sometimes it was a word spoken to me, or a
prayer offered up on behalf of me or my family. Other times it was a hug or a
smile, or just hearing someone else’s life circumstances and how they still
have the joy of the Lord and an unwavering trust in Him. When I look at the
freedom we have to meet and encourage and build up one another, I am filled with
gratitude. There are a lot of people who
don’t have this freedom, and I never want to take it for granted. I cherish my time spent with my fellow
believers, and each time I leave, I am a better person. That’s why the Lord instructs us to “ not forsake the assembling of ourselves together,
as is the manner of some, but exhorting one
another, and so much the more as you see the Day
approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). In this day and age, where there is a
lot of hurting, lonely and lost people, being able to meet with those who
encourage us and lift us up is something to be very grateful for indeed. As I
grow older, I see the bigger picture and what’s most important in life: God,
family and friends, and health. I appreciate what I have, and I am learning to
be very content in my circumstances.