Gratitude

This morning I am so grateful to God for feeding me!  The food he gave me yesterday upheld me through a very challenging time. Just before guests were to arrive, I got word that someone we cared for a great deal was dead.  In the space of less than two weeks he went from being fairly active, to struggling for breath as he fought acute leukemia, to death!

With the stress of the news and no time to digest it before guests arrived, a common reaction on my part would have been to overeat. And yet, even though guests brought snacks that often would have been quite tempting, I ate a temperate meal and did not snack later. Thank you, Father, for this miracle in my life!

Our friend's death leaves such a big hole in our lives, and my heart bleeds for his wife and family. As I think of what it must take for a wife to carry on after such an event, I hurt for his wife and begin to pray for her.

And then I remember what I was told before in Phil 1: 3, 4. "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. In every prayer of mine I always make my entreaty and petition for you with all joy (delight)." (emphasis mine).  At times like this, it can be a real challenge to follow the advice of scripture to "rejoice in the Lord always" (Phil 4:4).  And yet, we are told, ". . . the joy of the Lord is your strength."  (Neh 8:10)  Of course, I don't think this means we are not ever to express sorrow.  Ecc 3:4 assures us there IS a time to weep. But I DO know that at times like this I really need God's strength!  

Thank you, Father for more food for this day! Thank you for the knowledge that you do all things well and we can trust in you, no matter what the circumstances of our lives.