Attitude of Gratitude



 

"To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us ~ and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a gift of grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him." 

Thomas Merton


"No amount of regret changes the past.

No amount of anxiety changes the future.

But any amount of gratitude changes the present."

Marc & Angel Chernoff


Mom (Nanny) with Katherine and Laura last Saturday



James (Katherine's twin) with his Nanny.


...but any amount of gratitude changes the present. (I 💙💙💙 that!) It's so true right? Our focus/our perspective makes all the difference. When I've ruminated on what's wrong: in me, in my circumstances, in the world, in the economy,.....it is not a happy place to be mentally, emotionally or spiritually. Conversely, when I choose to fix my thoughts on God's blessings (large or small) my outlook is lighter.

Mom's cancer journey has provided an opportunity to choose whether to be grateful or bitter. Not grateful for cancer. Never. But grateful for evidence of God's mercy in the midst of all that has been excruciatingly hard. These are some of the things that came to mind: Dr. Kim and all the medical specialists who have treated mom with such compassion and incredible skill. A loving family. All the donations to the GoFundMe. Kind and caring friends. Wonderful caregivers. Mom's slow but steady improvement over these past few months. These are all things for which I am very, very grateful. 😊

And there is something recent (the photos above are a hint) for which I am especially thankful. Last Saturday our family had another gathering at mom and dad's to celebrate a special occasion. My daughter, Katherine and her wife, Laura are visiting for the first time since they moved to England last November. [Katherine adores her Nanny and Poppa and when mom was diagnosed in early July with GBM she was heartbroken to be so far away.]

The photograph of mom with Katherine and Laura is a "visual" of God's kindness. Family is one of the very best gifts we experience this side of heaven. Being known, being treasured, being loved unconditionally. There is nothing that even comes close to the joy we are blessed to experience within a loving family. So, I am grateful for last Saturday and the opportunity to create more special memories with our family.

Praises & Prayer Requests:

  • The family gathering (of course).
  • Mom's continuing improvement.
  • Temodar (oral chemo) got delivered and mom finished her maintenance dose last week without too much stomach upset, etc.
  • Prayer request: Mom's first post-treatment MRI is next Tuesday, October 25. Prayers for a good report.
  • Prayer request: Dad had an appointment on Wednesday regarding the implanting of a pacemaker. Prayers for this to be scheduled soon and for all to go smoothly.
  • Prayer request: Mom and dad will have caregivers through the end of November but then new caregivers will need to be found. (We are so grateful for Rose, Dulce and now Nayeli.) Prayers that God will provide good & affordable caregivers beginning in December.
Grateful, grateful, grateful,
Terrie

"From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another."
John 1:16

Comments

  1. Melinda McNabbOctober 22, 2022 at 12:47 PM

    Good to hear your update and delighted to see Katherine and James. It's been so long. They both look good. Please give them my best. And give your mom and dad hugs. They're in our prayers.

    ReplyDelete

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