My husband and I were gifted the chance to get away this weekend. We desperately needed to reconnect as both of our schedules have been so full this summer, it is hard to get time to just talk to each other!
As we enjoyed our time together, I realized, again, just how blessed I truly am. Here’s why:
1. My husband still wants to spend time with me after almost 15 years. Truly, it is simply amazing to me that we are still together. As I watch marriages–Christian and non-Christian–crumble all around me, I am in awe that our marriage has lasted. I’ll be honest with you–there have been a few times throughout our marriage that I just wanted to call it quits. His sin, my sin, life in general just make marriage seem like an insurmountable task sometimes, which is evident by the number of divorced couples I know. And a large number of couples I know who are still married simply don’t want to be alone with one another. To find someone who will stick with me and who wants to go away for the weekend with me is truly a blessing from God.
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken–Eccl. 4:9-12.
2. I have people I can trust with my children. I know a lot of people who struggle to be able to go out on a date, let alone away for the weekend, because there are no safe places for them to send their children. I was blessed this weekend to have options of where to send my kids. I have friends and family who love them and will make sure that they are well cared-for. I have people in my life who will not only feed them and keep them safe, but who will also make sure they have a wonderful time while Mom and Dad are away. For these people, I am truly thankful.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another–Prov. 27:17.
3. We have the opportunity to “get away.” As we were walking around our downtown, we came across a woman who was simply trying to get some sleep on a park bench. A security guard was standing near her, keeping his eye on her while he called the police. She wasn’t causing any trouble. She just wanted a place to sleep. I, on the other hand, had a beautiful hotel bed to rest my head on, and I have a very comfortable bed to come home to. Although my husband and I live on a tight budget, we always get to have at least one vacation a year with our kids. We go out to eat. We occasionally have the chance to see a movie. These are things that we are so used to that we completely forget that there are places all around the world where the idea of “getting away” is a completely foreign idea. My best friend and some of our church family are on their way home from an orphanage in South Africa as I type this. I am sure that these children are very unfamiliar with a vacation! It’s humbling to see how blessed we actually are here.
4. I have a home and family to come home to. After struggling with infertility for over five years, I know how blessed I am to be a mom. I also know how blessed I am to be able to offer a safe place to sleep for children who need to be placed in foster care because they don’t have that same luxury. Each time we open our door to one of these in need, I realize anew that not everyone is going to bed feeling safe tonight. That is a luxury that I have taken for granted all my life.
Currently, I am studying Job, who was a very wealthy, blessed, godly man. He had ten children, unimaginable wealth, a happy marriage, good health, and the respect of everyone he knew. Still, the entire book of Job is about a man who suffered immensely at the hand of Satan. Yet, he continued to thank God for everything in his life.
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised–Job 1:20.
In the midst of utter loss, Job “did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Job 1:22).
It is easy to get caught up in the mundane routine of life and to forget the blessing that just getting up in the morning is. Yet when truly difficult times come, it is so easy to shake our fists at God and blame Him for the Curse. This weekend, I was reminded that I have a lot to be thankful for, and the mundane routine that I have the opportunity to return to is just as much a blessing to me as staying in a nice hotel and eating out in nice restaurants.
Thank You, Jesus, for this life!
What are you thankful for? We all have troubles in our lives. That is a part of the Curse.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world–Jn. 16:33.
We can find things to grumble about every day. But just as we all have troubles, we also all have blessings. And while we may not understand why some have so much and some so little, why some suffer with sickness and others enjoy great health, why fertility is easy for some and difficult for others, why “bad” people prosper and “good” people suffer, we know that God is good all the time. His way is perfect.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me–Phil. 2:14-18.
katiecruicesmith.com 