Gratitude

This week before we prayed at lunch, Mike asked the kids to share about a blessing in their life. We were both shocked to see all three of them begin to squirm, eventually becoming irritated. One claimed to not be able to think of anything, while the other two tried to cop out with answers of "air" and "life." Well, those responses didn't sit well with us! I actually became angry, thinking about how much their lives had changed in the past year. I took a deep breath and asked, "You can't think of ANYTHING that you are thankful for?" The conversation took a nasty turn and one of our precious children was sent to their room without eating lunch. (Guess you should have been thankful for the food on the table!) I decided it was time to take inventory of some of the "blessings" at their disposal...and as I packed up the TV/DVD remotes and the video game controls, I thought, "I guess they want to learn the hard way!"

I began to reflect on how God must feel as He pours out blessings on His children. (As a parent, I know I can't question why He would resort to other measures to attract our attention!) The wonderful things He has done in my life have accomplished very little in comparison to the horrendous pain of watching my mom die of cancer. Now again, through the daily anguish of trying to break through the barriers around my children's hearts, His Spirit is ever present and I experience the power of His amazing love that at times seems elusive. Just as I desire the best for my children, how much more is He willing to do to capture our hearts? To ensure that our trust lies only in Him? Please pray for our family as Mike and I continue to navigate this journey.