Thankful Thursday

This is overdue, but here goes. I am thankful for...

I went home to visit my mom recently. She had been in rehab for a few months after a fall and other illnesses. Thankfully she is now back at her assisted living facility. I'm thankful for how well Mom has adjusted. I sat next to her at church, and it was so encouraging to hear her sing along with the hymns and choruses. She would also follow the Bible verses that were projected on the wall, but interestingly she would read them in Chinese. Mom's sense of humor has been coming out too. She can be really funny and crack some good jokes. I'm thankful how God has kept her. I cannot imagine how hard it is to lose your memory and be unable to grieve and bring closure to losing your husband. Yet God is near to the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

I'm thankful for God's grace for the empty-nester (me) and the not-a-baby bird who is spreading her wings (my daughter.) I'm thankful that she is quickly building a support network of friends, mentors, and brothers and sisters. I'm glad I have friends as well who know the challenge of watching and praying from a distance for their kids. The Lord has been so kind in little providences that have encouraged both of us.

I'm thankful for reminders to slow down and just be. I don't know if it is just our culture, but there is so much pressure to produce whatever that product may be. This is exhausting and is actually rather dehumanizing because we are supposed to live, not just churn out output like machines. I'm still learning how to do this.

Finally I'm thankful for reminders to meditate on what is true, good, and lovely. There's so much mess within and without, and it is easy to get bogged down and focus on all the wrong. But what is wrong will not win. What is not yet is certain and will be here soon.