This past Sunday, I attended a church service, in which the pastor (Pastor John) gave such a beautiful perspective of Thanksgiving, not as a day we celebrate, but a person we carry with us daily. For example, "Thanksgiving" has always been with us when we celebrate good times of joyful graduations, marriages, or hearing those words of doctors say, “The test came back negative.” or “The cancer was benign.” “Thanksgiving” always seems to show up for the birth of children or the return of a loved one coming home from war. Yes, “Thanksgiving” is always a welcomed guest at times of celebration in our lives.
But what about those times of sorrow -- at the loss of a job or the loss of a loved one? Pastor John went on to explain the powerful lesson “Thanksgiving” taught him one day.
He told of the story of a young lady whose body was ridden with Muscular Dystrophy. Although she had overcome many trials in her 29 years of life, she became so frail in her final days of life that she had to have oxygen consistently and was strapped into her wheelchair lest she fall out. Then the day came when she passed away, leaving behind a family and pastor who loved her dearly.
Pastor John went on to tell of how he quickly drove to the hospital to be with the family. As he got out of his car, he noticed that "Thanksgiving" who had rode shot-gun that day, tried to get out of the car and go with him upstairs to be with the family. In great remorse and disappointment, Pastor John turned to "Thanksgiving" and sternly said, "No, you stay here. This is no place for you. You stay in the car!"
Ever the servant, "Thanksgiving" obeyed and sat back down in the car. Pastor John proceeded up to the hospital room where the girl's body laid, surrounded by a family in tears. As he entered the room, he carried his own pain and offered his condolences. Then, in rightful order, they all prayed together. As the prayer ended, Pastor John said he felt such a sense of loss and emptiness and together, with the family they just stood there in silence, staring at the girl.
Finally, the mother spoke up and said, "You know, for 29 years, I have prayed that God would heal our daughter and asked God not to take her. But, Pastor, this week, for the first time in my life, I have felt a peace about letting her go to be with her Heavenly Father in total healing. You know our daughter, despite her illness, was an award winning artist. She finished her last painting recently and it was her most beautiful painting ever. It was a painting of a beautiful sky lined by trees bordering a dirt path. The sun was shining on the path as an eagle flew freely in the sky. Off in the distance at the end of that dirt path was a very small wheelchair....empty. The simple title of her final
painting said it all: FREEDOM AWAITS. I knew when she titled that painting, my daughter was ready to go Home."
As the mother continued, a light knock was heard at the door. Pastor John turned to see "Thanksgiving" slowly entering the room. Suddenly the atmosphere was illuminated with joy as the mother continued to say, "I can't believe I am saying it, but I am thankful this day has come. I know my daughter is whole and I know this was her dream. She is free."
Together, with "Thanksgiving" the family celebrated in awe at the graciousness of God in all things. A simple scripture in I Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything give thanks." Take time to let your heart be grateful for the good, the bad, and even the challenging opportunities in life. Invite "Thanksgiving" to your house this Thanksgiving Day and everyday of your life. You will surely find out that every circumstance you face is a part of the plan that God has for your life. Your best is yet to come, so "Give Thanks."
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