A Special Time

Yesterday, we had the first of several sermons on thanksgiving and giving thanks. The sermon was not a sermon; rather, it was the preacher sitting on the platform with a couple from our church who had been through a healthcare issue this past year and have so far come out on the other side.
At one point, Vernon was given a 2% chance of survival and had received something like six surgeries in about as many days. He’s been fighting cancer. He’s had most of his digestive system removed and has suffered mightily from the chemo and radiation. Yet he survives. He and his wife sat down with our preacher and talked about that time and about the things that happened, things they thought, things that have changed for them.
Without hesitation and many times through the interview, they talked about the power of prayer and the effect that prayer, encouragement, and support from the congregation had on them and their family. They are a changed family, and have changed for the better, even though Vernon walks slowly and with a cane, and is still in rehab.
They are a thankful family, and seem to appreciate every day as a gift from God. The world looks different now, and things taken for granted are given new meaning and purpose. It’s a whole new day.
I don’t know about you. I don’t know if you’ve been through the fires of trial and trouble or not. Nor do I know how you reacted or how you would react should something like that happen to you. I would hope, however, that you would rejoice with thanksgiving regardless of the circumstance because you know you are a child of the living God and that you know that regardless of the outcome, you will never be forsaken by Him, nor will you be forgotten or tossed aside.
Should God give me the breath of life these next several weeks, this promises to be a wonderful time of the year, and an even more wonderful opportunity to give thanks and rejoice in my salvation and deliverance. To God alone be the glory!