This week, I'm thankful for:
- For my husband's constant encouragement and support on a daily basis. He reminds me to always take one day at a time, which is very difficult for me.
- Being discharged from the occupational/rehab center - I don't have to return for Lymphedema treatments unless it gets worse when I start radiation next week. I have been trained to do the manual lymph drainage at home and will pick up my compression sleeves and camisole next week.
- For friends who haven't forgotten me! Once the "newness" of my Cancer diagnosis was over, many have fallen away from staying in touch with me. Those faithful few who've made a point to continually check in are precious to me. Just a card, call, email, or text message lets me know you're still out there and you still care. I can't tell you how much it means to me to know I'm not on this road alone.
- For God's constant provision - our bill basket is overflowing with medical bills. While I tend to be a worrywart and stress out about how we're going to pay them, my husband reminds me that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and nothing is too difficult for Him.
- Learning to wait - God is teaching me to wait. You'd have to know me well to understand how difficult this is for me to do. I have NEVER been one to wait easily. I'm always going, always doing, always in a hurry. This morning as I was having my quiet time, God emphasized to me that He is using this time to not only teach me to wait on Him but to renew and restore me. As I thought about that, it helped me want to wait! I had never understood that God uses times of trial sometimes to not only teach us something, but to cause us to be in a position for Him to rebuild, renew, and restore us.
- For Hebrew - Yes! I'm thankful for the Hebrew language because it helps me understand the meaning of the Bible so much better. This morning, I studied the word "chazak" as I read Psalm 27. This Hebrew word means "stand like a man and be strong." It gives a whole new meaning to Psalm 27:14 "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart." (Psalm 27:14 KJV) The transliteration in Hebrew says "Wait on the Lord, and be strong - stand like a man, and He shall instill courage to your heart." Continually, God has been emphasizing the need for me to be brave and courageous during my battle with Cancer. Studying Hebrew helps me know that when God calls me to be brave, He is the one who supplies the courage - from His strength - not from mine!
- For quiet days - when there's no distraction from noise, I can focus more on what God's saying to my heart. I enjoy peace filled days and the sound of silence.
- For the sun's warmth- I am very cold natured and just being able to sit outside on a warm sunny day is such a blessing.
- For a wooded lot - I enjoy sitting outside in my yard watching deer, birds, and other wildlife scurry about. I'm so thankful for the wonderful shade the trees provide and the gentle breeze that blows through them on a hot summer day.
- For my cell phone - throughout the day, one of my children either call or text me. I'm thankful they want to keep in touch!
- For my laptop - it makes communication, research, and writing so much more convenient.
- For the mail lady - whenever she brings a package up to me, she stays and visits for a little while. I enjoy having someone I can look in the eyes and talk with during the day.
