Gratitude
As I continue to take in the changes that have occurred in the past two weeks, I cannot help but notice the loss. Simple things such as choosing my own food from my own refrigerator, fresh orange juice (not from concentrate), a comfy couch on which to snuggle my kids, breathing fresh evening air while walking with the family, and holding Teri’s hand are no longer a part of my daily life. These are simple in comparison to my doctor saying that I will always carry the scars from this battle.
As parents with more than 20 years of experience, Teri and I have told our children numerous times that happiness is a choice. Yes kids, it really is. However, it is not a natural choice. As a sinner, it is my natural tendency to look inward and dwell on the loss and feel sorry for myself. However, God’s grace compels me to choose otherwise. His grace compels me to look to Him.
With any loss, great or small, we have a choice. Do we choose to dwell on the loss and regard the future as unappealing? Or, do we choose to be grateful for what we once had and maintain hope of restoration in this life or the life to come with Christ? I’m not discounting the need to grieve. It is vital to closure and moving forward. Nor, am I attempting to diminish the pain that comes with significant loss. Pain and loss are real and will always be a part of this world.
I am, however, attempting to highlight the fact that each of us has the capacity to choose our response to the often chaotic and unfair circumstances we find imposed upon us. After all, I didn’t choose leukemia. I didn’t choose the treatment plan that will keep me in the hospital for nearly three months total. And, I certainly didn’t choose to do all of this during the COVID-19 pandemic without visitors. It might make for a great story, but I would not have jumped at the lead role.
Nonetheless, I find myself in the midst of this story and posed with the choice of dwelling on my losses or looking forward. And, as I’ve told my kids, happiness is a choice. It is by God’s grace that each of us can choose to look beyond the inconveniences in life, the simple losses, and even significant losses to the hope of something more.
Since you are reading this and made it this far, please take time today, tomorrow, and each day thereafter to appreciate the simple things. When you sit for a meal, bow your head and thank God for your food, sincerely. Many in the world are hungry. When you arrive home from a long day, compose yourself before going in the house so that you can express gratitude for the ones you love. Some won’t make it home today. And, when you are faced with the first world problems of slow internet or limited menu options, get a hold of yourself and recalibrate. Choose to be grateful. After all, we all have much to be grateful for. And, we all all have the ability to choose.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James 1:2-3
“So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” John 16:22
P. S. - I have another birthday shout out to extend today. Happy Birthday to one of the finest young men around. Andrew, I am proud to be your father and honored to be your friend. You have had my love without conditions from the day you were born. And, you have earned my respect as a young man prepared to apply Godly principles to the challenges life will inevitably bring your way. Love ya!