LIFE...What A Precious Gift!

Today, it's "Thankful Thursday" hosted by Rhondi of Rose Colored Glasses. I always love the chance it gives me to dig deep down inside myself and see...REALLY see...all that I have to be thankful for.

Am I the only one...or does it seem like there's a lot of suffering going on here in Blogland? I'm always taken aback every time I check my blog to see the number of people who've requested prayers for chronically sick children or loved ones. It brings me to my knees, literally. There are, also, those who've recently lost someone they loved dearly. The struggles people are facing right now are almost unbearable, it seems. My heart breaks for each and every one of those who are having such a difficult time.

Just yesterday afternoon, Chris received a phone call from his mother. She informed him that she'd read in the newspaper that the brother of one of his best high school friends got killed in a car accident. He wasn't wearing a seat belt and got ejected from the car. He was air-flighted to a local hospital where he passed away. He was only 37 years old! He still had his whole life in front of him! So, today, Chris will be attending his visitation service. Of course, there's also the story of what happened to a woman from my Bible study class when we lived in Alabama. Her 9 year old son was in a 4 wheeler accident in September of 2007. He miraculously survived, but he's still in a coma, and his doctor's can't offer a definitive prognosis. So, they wait...wondering from one day to the next what will be the outcome. This is only the tip of the iceberg of what they've had to endure.

I just believe that life if far more fragile than any of us realizes. One day...everything is plugging along smoothly. Then, the next day, something happens and life as you now know it is forever altered. God never promised any of us a life without trials and tribulations, so we need to always be aware that things can, and do happen, to change the course of one's life. No one is immune...rich or poor, young or old, Christians or non-believers.

So, on this Thankful Thursday, I'm incredibly grateful for the gift of life and for my health, and the health of my family. I realize now more than ever before that it can be here today, but gone in an instant tomorrow. So, I will relish in the sounds of my girls laughing, singing, and even arguing! I will find immense pleasure in watching them run, dance, and act their goofy selves. I will cherish the touch of my husband's hand in mine and the sound of him telling me how much he loves me. I will treasure LIFE because it is such an incredible gift and one not to be taken for granted. Above all, I will give thanks to God for being so gracious and ask Him to pour his loving kindness and mercy upon those who are in need.

"Some people are always grumbling that roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses."~Alphonse Karr

P.S. K.MAC Creations is having a fun giveaway! She's asked for participants to post about what is unique about them. Well, I think I'm unique because, even though I lost my mom, dad, and brother in only 6 short years, God has given me the ability to have a positive outlook on life. I take chances and don't allow myself to be consumed by all the "what ifs". I believe in living in the here and now! Tomorrow will worry about itself!