Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Thinking back with Thankfulness!

16 years ago this month I had surgery for a malignant ovarian tumor. It was a large 2 lb tumor. It was a very scary thing to go through. You never really know how something like that will turn out. You hope, you pray, you believe but then it is as all of life is in God's hand. We know of many miracles and healings, we also know of many that God chose to take home. Well 16 years later and I am SO thankful and SO Grateful that God chose to heal me and let me continue to live. When you face a life and death situation priorities become very different. You realize money, and things have absolutely no value in life. It is relationships with God, family, & friends that count.

The many things I am thankful for are:

First that I have a personal relationship with Jesus and one day I will spend eternity with Him.
I know that my life however long it last is totally in God's hands and I can trust Him with it.
I am Thankful that He choose to let me stay longer and enjoy family and good friends. 16 years ago, I had one adult child that was married and one getting ready to get married. I had NO grand-children. Now I am Blessed with 4 adult children. 2 by birth and 2 by marriage. I am Blessed with 4 of the greatest grand-children in the world. I have 3 beautiful grand-daughters that I love with all my heart. I have one very precious grand-son that I also love with all my heart. They are the light of my world. I love spending time with them.
I have a wonderful husband that has put up with me for 44 years, and yes I have also put up with him. But after 44 years we are still in love and still (most of the time) like each other.:) Together our grand-children are the "Joy" of our lives. It is also such a Blessing when you have adult children that you "like" as well as love and are proud of the adults they have turned out to be, of the wonderful parents they have turned out to be and the way they are living their lives with their spouses and children. That they are also living for the Lord and raising their children to love God and serve Him. That they are people you enjoy spending time with. It is great when your adult children are also your friends.

I am thankful for many good friends who we love to spend time with. I am very thankful for my church and the friends we have there. It is a great loving and caring church and we enjoy it very much. We have made many new friends there.
I am thankful for things we take for granted. Health, a home, comforts we take for granted.
AC in the summer, Heat in the winter. A pool to play with the grandchildren in. Rain, (how much we needed it and it finally came). Our pet dogs who keep us company, friends to share meals with and enjoy evenings with playing cards or going places. Watching my husband grow veggies in his garden, growing flowers , enjoying nature, just enjoying life.

There are so many many things I could list that I feel thankful for, but it would take way to long.
Just to say that Life is good, and I am grateful to still be able to live it and for however long I have I want to live it to the fullest and I hope that in some way whatever I do in life will be a Glory to God. I hope my life will be a reflection of God's love and that especially my Grand-chidlren will see that in me. I hope that in some way I will be someone that will help influence their lives. I know that I have a special relationship with my grand-children and we enjoy spending time together. I hope they will always want to spend time with me and that they will always know that they are loved unconditionally and they can always be theirselves with their Nana.
So as I reflect over the past 16 years (especially) and all of life in general I feel extremely blessed. Knowing God directs every step of your life is very comforting. Knowing He is with you in the good and bad times. We will go through both of them and what a comfort to have the knowledge that God is in control of every situation we face whether good or bad. I would challenge you if you haven't made God #1 in your life to do so. Things really do go better with God in control and He has the greatest life insurance you can have.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

6 comments:

Stephanie said...

I hate to tell you, Mom, but I think it was 15 years ago and not 16. But, I'll be glad you're still here next year, too!

Nana said...

I guess you won't be married 16 years this Oct. then? You know how it is when you are a Sr. adult. The memory goes first. But I hope to be here when it is 16.

Heather O'Steen Photography said...

That was such a Stephanie comment! Just like her brother. Let's just get to the facts mom. Wow, I can't believe it was 15 years ago already. We know that everything happens for a reason. It was while Richard and I were driving to the hospital for your surgery that we decided no matter what the outcome, it was time for us to start planning our family. So - you have the grandkids you have today because of that drive we made to the hospital! The first thing I think about that hospital experience was the way your hand kept drifting up to your face while you were still "out of it". We still laugh about that. We are so glad you are still here with us and you are the very best Nana in the whole world! We love you and appreciate you so much!

Karen said...

What a beautiful posting - I can so hear in your words your desire to reflect the love of Jesus, your appreciation of the things that really matter in life, and the love of your family and friends. You are a blessing to them and all those around you.

Florida Girl said...

This is a precious love letter to the Lord, your family and friends. What a beautiful letter to print for the grandkids. They will always know their Nana's heart, even when they are grown and you are with Jesus.

Nana said...

Thank you all for you kind comments. See why I feel so Blessed?