Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thanksgiving...

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving...it's been on the calendar for a while, hurtling towards us like that comet in Armageddon...only, at times, it feels there's no heroic crew preparing to save us from certain disaster.

It was easy to be thankful last year. We had been married over 14 years. We were starting the final trimester, heading quickly towards the birth of our first child. Life was simply good. Being thankful was easy, maybe too easy.

"...give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:18


The Word makes it sound so simple. Give thanks...in all things.

I know that I have things to be thankful for this year. I have a wonderful and loving family. I have supportive and loving friends. There are thousands of Christians, around the world, who pray for me, and my and Sara's families, regularly. I know a God who cares about me, cries with me, and wants to restore me...even if I don't know why He allowed this to happen. I know that He has a plan of restoration for me, even if I don't know what it is. I have a future...even if it wasn't the future we had planned.

Today I choose to be thankful that I was married to a woman whose legacy is written on the hearts and minds of family, friends, and coworkers. A legacy of joy, beautiful smiles, creative talents, and earnest laughter. A legacy of love, poured out freely on anyone who spent time with her. Today I choose to be thankful for the great gifts that God bestowed upon my life.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."
1 Chronicles 16:34


I'm also thankful for my friend, Brian Dumont, for finding and sharing photos like these, from over 15 years ago, with me.  So long ago, the only thing in front of us was the future. :)




I miss the rain
by Bride

There's a place I like to go back to
Time seemed to stand still
We ran wild, we had no cares
Take me back to the place
I wish there were a door I could walk right through
To escape this life
I want to go back to what we had
Times were better then

I miss the rain, I miss the rain
My heart's been dry, like the tear in my eye
I been hurting for you again
I miss the rain, I miss the rain
My heart's been dry, like the tear in my eye
And the pain that I feel, Lord, I miss the rain

It keeps me young when I remember
In my mind the past still lives
I've held onto every thought, it keeps me so alive
The future holds nothing for me
If I can't hold you
I used to try and change the world
Now I change a little for myself

I miss the rain, I miss the rain
My heart's been dry, like the tear in my eye
I been hurting for you again
I miss the rain, I miss the rain
My heart's been dry, like the tear in my eye
And the pain that I feel, Lord, I miss the rain

I know there are those far sadder than I
They lost things they can't replace
Like the beauty in their eyes
But through it all, one thing is constant and remains
The Love of God erases all my pain

I miss the rain, I miss the rain
My heart's been dry, like the tear in my eye