Seven years ago there was a night I wasn’t sure I’d want to remember. Our youngest son, Joshua, laid on a hospital bed in a sedated state, clinging to life. His pulse was weak, his fluids were low, and his oxygen saturation rate – which is supposed to hover in the high ninetieth percentile – had now dropped below 60%. They tried 14 times to administer an IV… in his hands, his feet, and three times in his head. A respirator was employed to keep Josh alive. His infant body seemed only a frail, little shell.
When you come face to face with mortality, it has the potential to change the way you think. Either you become calloused, trying to eliminate all such images in your head – or you become thankful, newly aware that life is a gift and we have an opportunity to live it well. That doesn’t mean life’s always easy or that it will never hurt. It simply means there is much to be thankful for…
For those around us, whom we have an opportunity to enjoy (even the real turkeys in our families)…
For our country, where we can vote, serve, and even respectfully disagree (many countries do not have anything close to that freedom)…
For a God who loves each of us just as we are, giving us opportunity to love Him back.
(On a side note, I wish today, especially in India, those radical terrorist groups would realize that… so iniquitous, they can be…)
And so on this significant holiday, when I ask my boys what they are thankful for, soon after XBOX and fantasy football, they pause and smile, joyfully adding, “Josh’s hugs.” Yes, those mean much.
Joshua miraculously survived that night years ago, so his hugs are indeed meaningful. But his hugs remind me there is always much to be thankful for. Always. So join me in celebration – even if its quiet. Join me in giving thanks. Hug your kids. Hug the people around you. Spend quality time with them. Remember life is a gift. Even when life hurts. Yes, life is a gift even when it hurts. Here’s to living life well.
Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving and a day of joyfully giving thanks… to you and yours… always.
AR
When you come face to face with mortality, it has the potential to change the way you think. Either you become calloused, trying to eliminate all such images in your head – or you become thankful, newly aware that life is a gift and we have an opportunity to live it well. That doesn’t mean life’s always easy or that it will never hurt. It simply means there is much to be thankful for…
For those around us, whom we have an opportunity to enjoy (even the real turkeys in our families)…
For our country, where we can vote, serve, and even respectfully disagree (many countries do not have anything close to that freedom)…
For a God who loves each of us just as we are, giving us opportunity to love Him back.
(On a side note, I wish today, especially in India, those radical terrorist groups would realize that… so iniquitous, they can be…)
And so on this significant holiday, when I ask my boys what they are thankful for, soon after XBOX and fantasy football, they pause and smile, joyfully adding, “Josh’s hugs.” Yes, those mean much.
Joshua miraculously survived that night years ago, so his hugs are indeed meaningful. But his hugs remind me there is always much to be thankful for. Always. So join me in celebration – even if its quiet. Join me in giving thanks. Hug your kids. Hug the people around you. Spend quality time with them. Remember life is a gift. Even when life hurts. Yes, life is a gift even when it hurts. Here’s to living life well.
Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving and a day of joyfully giving thanks… to you and yours… always.
AR
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