Day 20 ~ Give Thanks

On our way to church this evening I was thinking about being thankful in all things when I realized that, although I praised God for many things on June 4 and the days that followed, I had never thanked God for that day. I mean, why would I? It was the scariest day of my life. Yet tonight I did just that. I thanked God for June 4, 2012. I thanked Him not only for the way that He cared for my daughter, the way in which He gave me strength and comfort, but I thanked Him for drawing me close to Him. I thanked Him for the compassion and love that I gained from an otherwise horrible experience. I thanked Him for what He has made from that day. 

Once we arrived at church, I noticed a woman and her family that our women's bible study group had been praying for. Her daughter was recently diagnosed with cancer. I met this woman once, years ago, yet my heart went out to her. I wanted to rush over, hug her and tell her of His goodness. I don't know exactly what she is going through but I do know the heartache of watching your child suffer. I know the moments, even when filled with faith, that the tears flow and you wonder what tomorrow is going to bring. While we sang praises to God during the church service, I allowed my tears to flow and I lifted my prayers for this family. 

When I arrived home from church tonight I was greeted with more heartache. Two families in our small community are facing the same trials that we faced months ago. Two girls, around my daughter's age, were in a car accident this morning. Both girls were ejected from the vehicle. As I was informed of their injuries the memories of June 4th came flooding back to me and along with the memory came the tears. Two mothers tonight are sitting by the bedside of their daughter's wondering what tomorrow will bring. I want to wrap them tight in my arms and whisper in their ears, "GOD IS GOOD!"

So now I ponder, am I really thankful for June 4th? I'm emotionally drained as I cry for the hurts of three mothers that I hardly know. How easy it would be to feel bad for a moment and move on. I can't. Instead I shed tears for those suffering, I lift prayers for strength and healing, and I thank God that "we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according his purpose" (Romans 8:28). 

Dear readers, please pray for Lydia, the young girl with cancer, and the two girls who were involved in the car accident, Payton and Ashley. Pray for healing, pray for strength and faith for their mamas, and pray that in all things His name will be glorified.