“Thank You Lord for Everything” seems like such a simple statement. People often use this statement instead of taking the time to examine and see how the Lord has blessed them personally. But this time the statement had so much more meaning than that. My grandmother spoke these 5 simple words as she got into the bed the other night, this may not seem like a big deal, but let me tell you about my grandma.
I overheard my grandma saying these words because I had just finished helping her get ready for bed, she needed me to help her get dressed and use the restroom. She spoke these words when flopping into bed because she did not have enough physical strength to control her movement down. The bed she flopped into was not even her own. But my grandmother is the strongest woman I know. She had six children and worked in a factory to help bring in income for her family. She cooked every Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, New years and always had Sunday dinner ready after church. She is always encouraging people and making sure everyone around her is okay. She loves cooking and loves her house but all that was taken from her in a matter of weeks. About 4 months ago my grandmother was admitted to the hospital suffering with complications from high sugar. She was diagnosed with diabetes and Sundown Syndrome, a type of Alzheimer’s where her body knows when it was dark and she begins to imagine things and becomes dysfunctional. During her stay in the the hospital she had an acute stroke in the right side of her brain. She was transferred to a larger hospital were specialized doctors took care of her. The doctors and nurses seemed to be convinced that my grandmother did not have a lot of time left on this Earth. Little did they know that my grandma is a fighter. Shocking all the doctors, my grandma recovered with both sides of her body functioning and the ability to talk and reason some. At one point and time in the hospital she had a feeding tube and needed a c-pap to help her breathe. Within a week she was off of both and the doctors called her a miracle. Yes she got better, but she was still not up to the standards of living life on her own and she needed help to accomplish ordinary everyday tasks. She is not strong enough to walk on her own; she uses a walker. But I do not want to lighten the fact that the doctors did not think she would ever be as strong as she is.
My grandmother has all the reasons in the world to be upset and angry. She could easily look at all the bad and be discouraged and weighed down. Yet through her problems she thanks God for everything. She sees how God is still good even in all that she is going through. In her sickness and weakness she thanks God. That night sent a chill through me. I get a cough or do bad on an exam and I immediately go into a sour mood and the thought of praising God at that point never crosses my mind. Of course if I get the game winning hit or one of my plans works out I will praise God for His works. But what happens when I strike-out to end the game or what I decided to do doesn’t work out? I walk around being selfish not looking to the God who still blesses me in every way. Its not the fact that I think God is horrible in that moment. I do not look at those situations and thank God, I just think about myself and what is happening to me. I need to be thinking about how my heavenly father is using those situations for His glory. My grandmother still shows me all the time how to live in and with Christ. She lives a life completely joyful in every aspect of life. So often I live wanting more, struggling to get more, and do more. But as my grandmother flopped into the bed with her feeble body she reminded me of such a valuable lesson, one that is written though-out the bible.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
-1 Thessalonians 5:18
I know my grandmother lives out that verse in real life. I complain about so many little things and what I think I need, but my grandmother is in a place where someone must bathe her and watch her, yet she thanks God for everything because she has life to the fullest with Jesus no matter what else. And she reminded me that is also what I have! So in everything I am going to give thanks! Thank you Lord for everything!
