“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
What are you thankful for?
I am thankful, because Vince was so well all summer that I only had to suction secretion from his trach about twice a day. To give you a comparison, earlier I had to do this in about every ten minutes. Of course if Vince was sick, for example when a cold was going around, then this number was uncountable, and the nights were no exception either.
What are you thankful for?
I am thankful, because five years have passed since the birth of Vince, and I can count on one hand how many times I slept through the night, and in spite of this I haven’t turned into a complete wreck. My body obeys a divine command that says ’I will have mercy on you.’ Even though I have been lifting my son a thousand times a day for years, even though I have pain in my lower back and my fingers swell up, I give this all to Jesus, and He happily helps carry my cross as well.
“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
Hebrews 12:15-17
What are you thankful for?
I am thankful, because no matter how difficult these past years have proved to be, our family stayed together, and we season every day with love. I am thankful for my husband, who didn’t only stay by our side, but keeps supporting us in every way. He searches the Internet for everything for Vince, and he gives me my freedom with love and patience. I am thankful, because this summer we didn’t have to go anywhere, we didn’t have to pack our suitcases, think about all the things we might need while we are away, but we were able to stay at home together, in peace.
What are you thankful for?
I am thankful, because our broader family and friends also support us. They accept us the way we are, and if need be, they help with actions. My mom babysits Vince on a weekly basis, so I can get to country dance. With the financial support of friends and family we could partially cover Vince’s follow-up examination in Germany in the fall. This support also helped us to get a wheelchair with which Vince can go outside. It is an electric wheelchair, but it can be folded as well, so we can easily put it into the car.
What are you thankful for?
I am thankful, because other moms call me several times a week, so we can pray together over the phone for our children, our families, and for the solution of all the difficulties ahead. I feel ease, light-heartedness, joy, and of course gratitude when these moms tell me what kinds of blessings they recently received. Last week Jesus tampered with my phone and my soul too, because I had the opportunity to pray with five people who hadn’t completely accepted God into their hearts.
What are you thankful for?
I am thankful, because Vince has been able to make a buzzing sound with his mouth, which shows that another little group of muscles started working, which will also help him in the development of speech. I am thankful, because the physiotherapist sat him on a sponge-like mattress with a hole in it, and he was able to sit in that position on his own for several minutes. I am also thankful, because while the guest little boys played with the spring football, they even paid attention and put Vince’s hand onto the game and helped him flick the ball.
What are you thankful for?
I am thankful, because when I open my eyes in the morning, light shines through the glass brick on the wall and paints light beams onto it. I am thankful, because I can sit down to a lovely table with my family, and we have food to eat. I am thankful, because the rosebush that I had to replant twice due to laying sewage pipes is now budding, although its leaves have turned yellow. I am thankful for the dragonflies in our yard, although there aren’t any lakes or ponds nearby.
Oh God! You know this list is not finished, since you see into my heart, you know how many other things I am thankful for! And I am most thankful that I know about You, and that Your Word gives me a life filled with peace and joy!
Thank you!
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.”
Psalms 1: 1-3
