What a different Thanksgiving day than last year! (Brad here. I know I haven’t written a blog in a while and was thinking a lot about writing something for the holidays.) Each time I would drive by a hospital during the holidays, I would always think about how some people have to spend the holidays in the hospital. Laura and I were doing this very thing last Thanksgiving. Staying in the hospital for a holiday for the first time feels the worst. Holidays become like every other day when you’re going through serious illness. You don’t get a vacation from sickness.
However, as I was thinking about last year, I became very thankful. Memories of God’s faithful presence and provision throughout the time of Laura’s treatments overwhelm me. There were certainly nights that felt darker and lonelier but we were so overwhelmed by people’s notes, e-mails, gifts, assistance with watching the boys and providing meals, prayers, hugs and kind words. I really don’t know how people survive these times without a community of support like we had. We certainly saw people who didn’t have this and I ached for them.
Psalm 46 comes to mind as I remember last year:
1God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.
I can relate to this passage remembering how God was very present. So many people I have counseled feel like they are abandoned and alone when they go through difficult times. There were certainly times in my past where I felt that too but this experience with Laura was completely different. He was very present; very real. I felt His presence many days and nights. I find myself being thankful that He’s not always quiet and that He’s not always a mystery. Sometimes He’s very real and speaks clearly to me. So when other times come again where I may feel His silence or absence, I can look back on my life and remember how present He was and then be patient during the time that feels different.
So today I am thankful for a God who is Himself, is loving, kind and gentle. I’m grateful for a community of people that God used to minister to us significantly. I’m grateful for another day of life where I can not only see the good things in life but face the reality of the difficult things in life and know that God is present; that He knows me; He sees me for who I am. Laura is loving today remembering last year. What a change from the dark days of the last holiday season. I’m thankful for each of you and how you loved us so well through those dark days. I know dark days are in store for all of us but they can be so livable when you have a God who cares and a community of people God uses to lift you up and carry you when you can’t carry yourself. Thank you all for being that for us.
We love you!
Brad (for Laura and the boys too)
