Give Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for this year.  We have plenty to eat, we have a warm house, we have friends and family to love on and be loved by all the days of the year.  We have a sweet, squealing boy that we completely adore.  We are wealthy in good books, strong coffee and laughter.  We are thankful.

I've been quiet this past week.  It's been a hard week for our family.  My sweet grandfather is sick.  He went into the hospital last week and remains there as of this morning.  A change in plans allowed us to visit with him and the rest of our extended family this past week.  I'm thankful for flexible friends and schedules that gave us the time to be where we needed to be.

I have been sad these past days, wishing things were different.  But oh the comfort and peace we have been granted.  I know that we are not in this alone.  He cares for us deeply and has shown us of His great love in tangible ways this week.  My college roommate is a nurse.  At my grandfather's hospital.  On his floor.  She has spent much of her time off from work back at the hospital, sitting with my family, encouraging my grandmother, interpreting the medicalese we do not understand and loving on me and my family so well.  What a perfectly clear blessing.  Her presence in this situation is a clear blessing from the Lord and one for which I am so grateful.

We returned home Saturday and attended church on Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent.  We heard these words:

For he grew up before him like a young plant,

iand like a root out of dry ground;

jhe had no form or majesty that we should look at him,

and no beauty that we should desire him.

3 kHe was despised and rejected2 by men;

a man of sorrows,3 and acquainted with4 grief;5

and as one from whom men hide their faces6

he was despised, and lwe esteemed him not.

4 mSurely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

nsmitten by God, and afflicted.

5 oBut he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

pand with his wounds we are healed.

6 qAll we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

rand the Lord has laid on him

I was reminded that He came to bear our griefs.  And in this unknown time, that is of great comfort.  I am encouraged both by the Word and the reports we are hearing from the hospital.  If you are so inclined, we would so appreciate your prayers in this time: prayers for healing and comfort and for a closeness to the Lord in this season.

Thanks for being in this space with me.