Give a hat!

"There is always, always, always something to be thankful for."

Jerry and I just spent a week serving with Mennonite Disaster Service in a small town in West Virginia that suffered a major flood last year. Our team was working on rebuilding four houses damaged by the torrent of water that surged through the town.

One lunch time, our team was eating a delicious meal provided by a local church (they've done this for the volunteers each week day since the disaster and have promised to continue as long as needed!). The day was warm and we were gathered outside soaking in the brilliant sunshine. An older gentleman quietly walked down the steps to the group. Without fanfare, without announcement, without many words he began giving hats to each member of the team. He recorded our names and hometowns. He gave us a choice of orange or blue. He smiled. This man's home had been completely destroyed. His gratitude helped to rebuild hope in his heart just as his house was being rebuilt better, stronger than before. He gave back with a simple gift that unified our team and gave us a practical souvenir of this powerful, life changing week.

Gratitude heals.
It brings healing to the giver AND the receiver.
It opens our eyes to the joy set before us.
The simplest expressions of gratitude bring hope and life in a difficult and uncertain world.

"...give thanks IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Are you, like me, walking in a situation that is trying to steal your joy, your hope and peace? My challenge for us is to BE GRATEFUL. As we thank God for His many blessings and provisions for this day and for the unseen future, we open the door for our healing. Gratitude heals. As we express gratitude to those who are walking beside us in this journey, we open the door for closer relationships and deeper connections.

I am thankful for 13 months of post stage 4 diagnosis life. I am thankful for remission, for medication, for opportunities to share God's greatness in this simple life. For this opportunity to serve and laugh and love our neighbors with Jerry. Gratitude heals. I am choosing to be thankful because it's God's will for me....and for my good. 
Join me?