Gratitude

Thanksgiving weekend has arrived. It is one of my favorite holidays. I enjoy the time spent with family, the extra church service on the Monday, hiking in the woods, and just spending time with my husband and children with no pressure to be anywhere. Oh yes, and the food. :-)

Thanksgiving Monday swimming at the beach. Very unusual!!

I realise more and more each year how blessed I truly am. When things get very busy and problems weigh on my mind, I tend to forget my blessings, but slowly, gently, God reminds me of where my heart should be. A heart filled with an attitude of gratitude.

Our Colombian friends are very much on my mind these days as we received word that Senora D's sister and brother-in-law were brutally murdered this past week. They are distraught to say the least. It has been so hard for them to come here and leave their family behind, but to get word of this tragedy has just torn them to pieces. They are having a difficult enough time being in a foreign country, and now they are consumed with mourning the loss of family whom they will never see alive again. Their faith is strong and Lord willing, they will get through this again too, but sometimes I wonder how much more they can take. Romans 8:28 stands out in my mind. "For we know that the Lord works together for good to them that love God". I don't know what the good is in this situation and I'm sure our friends don't either. but we do know that His ways are higher than our ways. Despite it all, I'm sure they could tell us that they are thankful too.

I am looking forward to this weekend. I am looking forward to giving our Lord an extra measure of my time in thanksgiving to Him. If you think of it, can you say a prayer for our friends?