Thanksgiving, a perspective.....

Thanksgiving will always be effected by our perspectives in life. For example, last year, I was thankful I still had Mom. This year, I am thankful I still have Mom......For both years, the object of my gratefulness is the same, but.......Last year, as I missed Daddy, having Mom was a comfort. This year, that she is still with us is the blessing for which I am thankful. The Lord has seen fit to leave her here with us just one more day, for several months now.

As the Lord slowly pries my fingers away from things that are most precious to me, He has begun to help change my perspectives. He encourages me to see and "be thankful" for situations in life that I would not be inclined to appreciate. These are difficulties, hardships, frustrations, struggles from which I run. I seek to avoid circumstances that cause me pain. I don't want to suffer. But I do want to grow in my relationship with Him. I do want to know him more intimately.

So, as I begin to examine what causes me the most "pain" in life, I begin to have some understanding. Or at least some considerations.....How often do my struggles represent areas or items that draw my focus, love or energies away from the One I say I want to know better? Are they at the very least a distraction? Is He freeing me from those things that will in the long run cause me more pain? Do I insist on dragging my bag of "things" along with me as I try to follow Him in service? The rich young ruler walked away sad.....am I so very different?

What makes me sad? Why does it make me sad? When I get to the bottom line, is it pride? Selfishness? Do I think I know better than He what I need for my happiness and so I rebel, struggle and despair???? I certainly do know the "Sunday School" answer concerning priorities, but, in practice, what is my reality? Wow. Need some uninterrupted "muse" time. I think this will go deeper than I might realize....

But, today, I am thankful to share life with my family, Mom especially. She is growing weaker physically, but stronger in her desire to be side by side with her Savior. As we talked the other night, I told her I want that for her, too. For her, to think about the next step can be nothing less than glorious. I can't imagine. Well, I can imagine, but for sure the best of my imaginings will be pitiful compared to the reality of what she has in store. Not so excited about what that means for me. But that's me thinking about me......yep.....things that must be considered.....