Good morning…
Our Friday group finished the fall semester last week, yet we have remained connected through a lively email string. Regularly we share words of encouragement as we pray for Elizabeth, the 37-year-old daughter-in-law of our classmate, who began her first round of chemo on Monday for advanced colon cancer.
“I want to tell you all how much your prayers and support for Elizabeth mean for all of us,” wrote our friend. “Your special care and love calm our anxious souls. God has blessed me with all you beautiful ‘soul sisters.’ We are leaning hard on God’s messengers in our lives right now.”
“In my experience, if we are not radically grateful every day, resentment always takes over,” said one of the quotes a friend shared from Richard Rohr. “Moreover, to ask for ‘our daily bread’ is to recognize that it is already being given. Not to ask is to take our own efforts, needs, and goals—and our selves—far too seriously. Consider if that is not true in your own life.”
“Gratitude is so key,” another woman wrote back. “I loved this message from one of our partners today. I thought you’d all enjoy. That bold quote is so powerful!! Love you ladies and happy Thanksgiving!!!”
“Not all storms come to destroy your life. Some come to clear your path.” As I was pondering this bold quote, a text came in from my friend whose 36-year-old daughter, Marleigh, is bravely battling her own metastatic breast cancer. (For details see our post Not Good News.)
“Sue,” wrote my friend. “Will you thank all your prayer warriors around the globe for praying for Marleigh and me through these past weeks? The prayers have sustained us and the love has warmed our hearts. We see God’s blessings in the midst of the storm and we are certain that He will continue to guide us through to victory over this dreaded disease.”
As we lean hard on the powerful prayers of God’s many messengers, we are sustained, loved, and warmed. When we see God’s daily blessings in the midst of life’s storms, radical gratitude is quietly born.
To You, Lord, I give my whole heart, a heart filled with praise, for I am grateful…my heart sings praises to You and You alone. I bow before You…and praise Your name, for Your unfailing love and Your truth; for You have placed Your name and Your word over all things and all times. On the day I needed You, I called, and You responded and infused my soul with strength (Psalm 138:1-3, VOICE).
…Sue…
