Weekly e-News September 1, 2017

Hey, everyone…

“And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?… Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’ “

(Luke 17)

Thankfulness…

As I lie there in the middle of the night thinking of those in Houston shelters, grieving the loss of their homes, of the life they’ve known, and for some, of those they love, I’m filled with many thoughts and questions…

How will they…?

How would I…?

What will they…?

Is there someone near who loves You who can…when someone is crying…in the dark?

What must it be like to lose all…you’ve ever known? 

I AM thankful for where I am. I’m embarrassed somehow to admit it, but I’m thankful tonight that I’m in my own bed with the one I’ve loved my whole life (except for the time before I met her).

I’m thankful for our house…

For our awesome neighbors…

for my old truck…

for our barn where the hay is kept for our (her!) goats…

I’m even thankful tonight for our goats.

But if I were there in Houston…

or if “Houston” were to happen here…

If I were to suddenly find myself in a shelter in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, lying there with 5000 or 9000 others I don’t know but who are without a home like me…

Would I be thankful then?

Would I be thankful to You? For a dry spot…for a cot…for donated food prepared by friends I’ve never met…for Romans 8:28??

Could I be thankful?

Would I be thankful in Houston?

Lord, You say to give thanks in all things for this is Your will in Christ Jesus. 

Could I? 

Would I?

I know there are some who are! I’ve heard them on TV. How are they doing it?!

My thinking is that the ones who are thankful today, were the ones who were thankful yesterday…and last week…and the weeks before that.

I bet they are the ones who maybe didn’t have as much as others but who have loved You, praised You, and thanked You daily for years and years. The practice of the heart becomes the habits of the heart becomes the fabric of the heart. 

I wasn’t so sure but now I think it’s good that seeing the news today, I’m thankful for my house, my bed, my home, my life. 

As long as I’m thankful tomorrow also.

And everyday after! 

Thankful everyday, and not just on this day. 

So that if or when we’re all in shelters one day…or in hospital beds…or in the nursing home…I’ll be the one who’s thankful THAT day. 

Because I learned to be thankful today.