This is one of those Thanksgivings when things didn’t go according to Hallmark at our house. Or Norman Rockwell, if you are from that era. We’ve had other years when the holiday season was interrupted by illness, of course. I remember the year my dad had a terrible case of real influenza. His absence definitely took some merry from our Christmas.
And one year our family ate Christmas dinner at the Shell gas station in a neighboring town because my husband needed to make a house call after church for a friend who was having kidney stones.
The hardest year of all was the Thanksgiving when our micro-preemie granddaughters were born. Ellery Blythe had already gone home to Glory, taking pieces of all our hearts with her. But Claire Felicity was fighting with all her little one-pound, nine-ounce might in the NICU. More than twenty of us gathered at the hospital that day and then ate Thanksgiving dinner at a near-by Cracker Barrel.
All those non-traditional days have some sweet memories attached. And the recurring theme, of course, is the ever-present, all-sufficient grace of God. We believe in His power to heal. (Claire Felicity is proof.) We trust in His mercy to rescue. (We all testify) And we thank Him for His goodness. Even on the hard days.
Kathy, I’m asking for great grace to carry you through these hard days…just like it did 12 years ago with Ellery and Claire! Love you my sweet friend!
Thanks, Cheri. He has carried us, hasn’t He? Please kiss our sweet grandbabies today for me.
I’m sorry it’s a tough Thanksgiving for you, friend. My family has been struggling too, as you know from my blog post. Love to you.
Yes, Katie. Prayers for a merrier Christmas for your family.
Kathy, I’m sure your table has been a haven for many a weary traveler over the years. Praying that you find comfort at the Lord’s table during this season. Love you and your family.
Thank you, Carol. We are feeling refreshed and sustained.