November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving

It's been a very busy, very fun Thanksgiving break so far.  I have lots to share, but first, a story...

At church on Sunday, as I was singing along to the worship songs, I spotted someone sitting alone.  I don't know if this guy was feeling lonely, or if he has a perfectly happy and fulfilling life, but in that moment, my heart broke.  It broke for all the lonely people in this world.  And all of a sudden I was crying.  And, as hard as I tried to avoid the embarrassment of public tears, I could not stop thinking about it, and I found myself praying for all the lonely people who are hurting.  Praying that they would know Jesus, that they would feel loved, that they would find people who care for them.

And then I felt convicted.  I have spent a good amount of time these past couple of years feeling sorry for myself.  Sorry that I don't have kids, sorry that I (along with Nick and our families) have experienced so much loss, sorry that my life doesn't look the way I thought it would at the age of 30.  But through all of that, I have never, ever felt alone.  I have always been and will always be surrounded by people I love and by people who love me.  And, I have Jesus.  Too many people live without that love.

So, in this moment of realization, I concluded that I am done feeling sorry for myself.  Because, I would much rather face the difficult things I have had to face with people I love than go through an easy life alone.  I am blessed....even in the midst of pain.
And I want to use that to be a blessing to others around me who are hurting and in need of someone to care for them.

So, this Thanksgiving, I AM THANKFUL.  For my saviour, for my family, for my friends. 
Thank you all for being here for me.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Can anything ever seperate us from Christ's love?  Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?....No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us.  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love.  Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.  No power in the sky above or in earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35, 37-39
(New Living Translation)



6 comments:

  1. A heartfelt message indeed. You are a remarkable woman Mindy and you are right, nothing can ever separate the LOVE that God has for us, which is in CHRIST JESUS!!!

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  2. thanks for sharing this post,Mindy; I'm grateful for the eternal focus-reminds me of Psalm 84:5-7. Blessings. . .

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  3. Lovely and so very true. Recently I have become so aware that while life isn't what I thought it would be, I am still blessed to be surrounded by some amazing people who care.

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  4. melinda ann i just adore you. this brought tears to my eyes. funny, i was thinking of the lonely people in this world too this weekend- some who are friends and dont know Jesus. you're such a love min, such a love!

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  5. I. am. in. tears! Oh my gosh Mindy... this post just warmed my heart so incredibly much. Thank you for sharing your life with those around you. You are loved, you are prayed for, and you are a blessing to all that know you my sweet friend. :-)

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  6. these are sweet, sweet words of hope, Mindy. my pain looks different than your pain . . . but I, with you, find my heart soothed by this same message. thank you for saying it so beautifully!

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