Thanks Giving

 

Fall is here and the hint of the coming bitter cold Winter winds nip at the edges of my weary soul... 

It's been a tough year. My husband continues to work 2 very low paying physically difficult jobs after losing his career of 30 years due to downsizing. 

There's an occasional tease of a new higher paying career just beyond his reach that continually slips through his worn arthritic fingers.  These opportunities prove never more than imaginary.  And each time his hopes climb high for what could be--only to be dashed on the icy cliffs of despair.

Though he puts on a brave face the stress of it all is aging him.  He looks 10 years older than the calendar reveals him to be.  He is quiet, more solemn and I watch and pray and encourage.  But he is wounded. His worth, as is the case for most men, is forever entwined with what he does for a living.  And though it's only Fall I feel Winter is already here...

Most of the time we fight the would be prevailing bitter winds together as we look towards what is next.  What is next?  Hopefully another day for us both. But even that is not promised.

And we've learned to laugh at things that would not be funny to most. The laughter helps to hold together (at least for a moment) the frayed edges of 2 very weary souls.

I have also humbly learned to thank God for what He has so graciously given us here on earth:

A home to keep us warm

Food to nourish and strengthen

Dear friends that come alongside us

Encouragement when we most need it 

Kindness when we least expect it

Unexpected blessings

Strength to face each day

Hope for tomorrow

And all these things are enough.  More than enough. For they can't be snatched away by any earthly foes because they are God-Given.

And so, we bow our hearts and souls to God and say,

"Dear Lord, thanks for giving".

Shepherdess Blog
Copyright 2017Jackie Deems