Roses Among the Thorns

Today is Thanksgiving.   All of November I have been posting each day about what I am thankful for on Facebook.   I plan to continue this through the end of December, except that I plan to change December to "my Treasures of Christmas" which in many ways is the same thing as what I am thankful for.

I've been through so much this year.  I've had a lot of physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional hurdles that even now is lingering on and burying themselves into my heart and body.  I try not to complain.......People (including doctors) remind me about how long my year has been and believe me, no one knows as much as I do.
I can go on and on listing my thrones this year.   Thrones such as:

  • more than one or two UVA appointments a month
  • countless MRIs or CTs scans
  • many invasive testings/surgeries
  • hearing  of "we don't know the answers"
  • being referred from one doctor to another
  • feeling hopeless, helpless, fearful 
  • Deaths of friends
  • News that cancer has hit a friend or a relative
But I choose........I choose NOT (or rather try not to)  see those thrones because if I do, those thrones are what brings me down and what makes me loose focus of of God's sovereignty and love.  I choose to TRY  look at those ROSES in my life:

  • God's hand of safety as we drive over to UVA every time
  • God's holding of my hands during my fears of each invasive procedure including surgery
  • God's direction in a wonderful  UVA doctors; very good ones (even though I'm tired of doctors)
  • Surprises from  friends and my church family
  • My caring Church Family
  • So grateful to ALL my pastors, who show so much support to me; a kind of support I never realized ever existed in a church before.  Pastors who I can call on the phone almost anytime when I need support or reassurance.  Pastors who call just to pray with me or to check up on me just to see if I need anything (esp after surgery). These  Pastors care enough want to know me (anyone really) not just as a friend, but as a spiritual being,  Thank you, Burress, John, Joe, and Tim.  I'm sure whoever our new Lead Pastor will be, it will be the right one.
  • Parents who take time off to take time off work to take me to the doctor/hospital
  • ALL of my family, near and far
  • Friends who call me just to tell me they love me & praying for me
  • Friends who tell me they wish they could take this way from me but is holding my hand in spirit
  • Friends who show love to me in more ways than I can imagine
  • Nieces who gives me joy and pride (not just blood related nieces;  pseudo nieces/nephews)
  • Best Friends who I can just call and burst into tears, even though I "have no real idea why"
  • Though still having medical issues, I still enjoying being able to be part of the ministries at my church
  • Friends that hold me accountable; help me be honest with myself, not just spiritually but also emotionally
These are just only some glimpse of my heart.   With God's help, I try to see the ROSES amongst the thrones.    It's not easy friends; I'm not saying that I'm perfect and always do this; but I try.    And sometimes, because of sinful nature, I see the thrones instead.

Despite all,  We are to Give Thanks with a grateful heart no matter the circumstances.









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