There are times God’s goodness is simple. And real. And overwhelming. 

This morning I woke up in my bed at a place called home. A place I take for granted. 

“Thank God if your kids are in your beds each night” I told the women I spoke to this weekend at a retreat. A woman looked puzzled. “Really, you never know when that may not be possible.” Two families I know lost children this year. Two of my own have left our nest. Be thankful.

“Your husband’s not perfect. But if he’s a good man, thank God for him.” Tears filled women’s eyes, my own included. How critical we can be about our husband’s faults. I’m guilty. What a skewed perspective we can have. If your child has a father who’s good at heart, be thankful.

“Let it go.” I said about things we stress over. The perfect body. The perfect home. The perfect children. “In the end, it won’t matter.” Really, it won’t.

Driving home on a sheet of ice with accidents occurring around me, my husband stayed on speakerphone with me while I drove to my son’s college campus to regroup before taking another route home. “Thank you” I told him with tears in my eyes as I hung up when I reached my son’s dorm.

My son gave me hug. I didn’t want to let him go. He let me touch his arm in the campus hangout. I was thankful I could simply touch him.

Friends were there visiting their daughter for birthday. They agreed I could follow them home. My friend rode with me while drove three more hours in the dark on snow-covered roads.  “I could tell you were scared when you called” she said.  I was thankful for friends who care.

When I got home, I didn’t care about the full trash bags and dirty dishes. I kissed each of my boys on their heads. I read an email from by daughter about her week of ministry to disabled children in an orphanage in the Mayan mountains. My husband prayed. Tears filled my eyes with emotions I still can’t put words to.

I’m thankful for a God who is never absent. Who gives wisdom in moments of fear and uncertainty. Who stops our busy lives for reminders of what’s important, what’s real, and good. 

For that, I’m thankful.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:28

What are you thankful for? Where do you see Christ in your small moments? What are the things you take for granted that you can be thankful for today? I’d for you so share with us.

I’d also love to share messages like this with you in 2017 or 2018. Do you have a women’s event , MOPS group, youth, family event or retreat coming up? I’d like to share messages of Jesus with you!