Being Thankful

Being Thankful
Monday, November 19, 2012 by pam

This is the week of Thanksgiving. Most people look at it as the real beginning of Christmas shopping. Whether you've started shopping or not, I'd like to pause and find something about having Anna that I'm thankful for. This isn't easy because, as you know, I don't like being the parent of a special needs child. But 1 Thess. 5:17 tells us to be "always be thankful."

Let's start with this past weekend. Anna had 18 seizures between Saturday and Sunday. She's had 5 already this morning and it's not even 8am. Can you find anything to be thankful for here? On the surface, you probably can't. But here we go:

1) We didn't have to go to the hospital
2) She doesn't seem to realize what's happened
3) We have medication and her VNS to help stop the seizures

If I didn't remind myself of these things, I'd go nuts.

What else am I thankful for?

Anna is pleasant, most of the time.
She clearly loves me.
I get hugs and am allowed to kiss her cheek often. This is a big deal for an autistic child.
She has a beautiful smile.
She makes us laugh.
She has a good day program to attend.
She gets to go horseback riding once a week.
As long as she has something to dip with, she'll eat just about anything.
I have terrific respite care workers.
My daughter, Mary, is great with her.
Her doctors care about her and are good with her.
We have great medical insurance.
Our church family is supportive and encouraging.
I have a supportive and helpful husband.
I have friends who pray.
My God is bigger than any seizure and He loves me.

None of these things take away the reality of the burden of caring for a child like Anna, but it sure lightens the load when I remember them.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever!

Comments

pam From At 11/19/2012 4:25:45 PM

Thanks, girls ... your friendship is one more thing I'm thankful for!

MaryAnn Diorio From New Jersey At 11/19/2012 12:30:13 PM

Pam, what I noticed most about your wonderful post is that often we have to look for the blessings as they are not always readily visible. They are disguised in the shadows of our pain.

mary From pennsville At 11/19/2012 9:04:58 AM

God only gives us what he thinks we can handled, the rest is his to carry for us. I'm humbled at reading your posting, it reminds me that no matter how small or big my problems are, there is always someone else with worst. I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. Continued Prayers.

Janet Ann Collins From California At 11/19/2012 7:26:18 AM

Thanks, Pam. We can all use a reminder to count our blessings.

Betsy Caffrey From Millville, NJ At 11/19/2012 7:07:07 AM

The ability to find something to be truly grateful for ... when there is so much that could push your eyes, ears, heart and soul in the opposite direction ... is one driven by pure Grace. <3

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