More Than Thankful

I am more than thankful.

I am humbled. In awe. More in love with God. Overwhelmed by grace.

I remember lying in my hospital bed, wondering if I would make it home for Thanksgiving. At the time, it was a long ways off, but little did I know it would be just the week before, when we would come home. And now to sit here today, two open heart surgeries later with a few complications in between, I could not be more thankful to just have life. And have it to the fullest. Thanks to God and His gift of salvation.

The journey has been daunting, wearing, and draining, but the journey has also been incredibly encouraging, life-changing, and awe-inspiring. I think we have seen the effects of this all especially in Mazy, as she has had to adjust, readjust, and readjust again, and as difficult as it is to see her struggle, oh the joy we have when our family is together as a family of 3. To come home to a toddler who thinks you are her world. To have her run up to you to give you a kiss or hug just because. To have her put her head on your shoulder and say “I miss you too…” It just doesn’t get any better. I’d love to say that we will adjust back to “normal,” but after walking the journey we have, it was too life-changing to go back to how things were.

Moments are held onto a little tighter. Experiences are a little deeper. Our faith, stronger. There is no turning back. There is no reverting back. I kept thinking I wanted things to be as they were, but not anymore. We are different people who just want our life experiences to encourage others. To give God glory and make Him known.

So on this Thanksgiving, we have more than enough to be thankful for. A bit emotional, yes. To see this all come full-circle and to be able to sit in our own home, around a table given to us by our dear friends, with family that I can not thank God enough for, we are beyond blessed.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of life. For the gift of difficulties, so that we can understand what the gift of life really means. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t always welcome difficulties. Humanly speaking, I’m ready for a break. But if that’s not what God desires, well, then that’s what I want too.

Think back throughout this past year. What have you rejoiced in? What difficulties have you experienced? Are you thankful for them all? No matter what our life situation is, we truly have so much to be thankful for. Take today as a time to reflect and lift up those thanksgivings to God.

Blessings to you, this Thanksgiving!