By LuAnn Edwards

“,,,And be thankful” (Col. 3:15b).

Sickness, grief, and moving away from family, friends and a job I loved are experiences that have affected me greatly over the years. However, I am still thankful for God who has given me opportunities to grow and learn through each of these experiences and has blessed me in so many ways.

He has blessed me with His Salvation. What greater gift is there? Jesus died for me! I did nothing to deserve it; He died so I could live eternally with Him. All I had to do was accept His offer and receive His free gift. When I surrendered my life to Him, He offered me grace, hope, mercy and love.

He has given me such an amazing family. My God-loving husband unselfishly gives of himself to show his love and commitment to me. We have a grown daughter who serves the Lord alongside her husband as youth pastors. Our son too has dedicated his life to the Lord and is an example of Christ to his family and others. Our teenage daughter is serving the Lord with the musical talents God has given her. We also have three adorable grandchildren learning to live for Christ.

He has blessed my family with a caring church home. I am thankful for the people within our fellowship who pray for me and encourage me in my walk with Christ. Two families in our church have willingly taken our youngest daughter into their homes giving my husband and me the opportunity to visit our ailing or dying parents in another state. One of these trips took about 10 days, yet this family loved on our daughter, got her to school each day and helped her with her homework. That was sacrificial on their part and truly a blessing to us. Also, our daughter is very active in the youth group where she is learning solid biblical principles.

He has given me a job I enjoy going to each day. I am accepted and appreciated for who I am and what I do. I believe the Lord has me where I am for a purpose. I strive each day to give Christ my best while sharing His love through my example. I trust that I am making a difference.

Is my life without problems? No! In a job when I didn’t want to get up in the morning to face another day, I stood upon the Word of God to get me through. His Word brought me strength, hope and peace. During a time when my husband served on the staff of a church, and there was not enough money for him to take his full salary, I prayed and believed God would provide food for our family. God answered that prayer through a couple in our church. When my teenage daughter and I do not seem to agree on anything and I become weary, I go to God’s promises and read them over and over until they become alive in my spirit. I am so very thankful for the Word of God and the comfort and healing I find there.

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17). For this I am especially grateful.