This week, Thanksgiving is on November 28th. Who and for what are you thankful?
Although Christmas 2021 has passed, the memories have not. Two weeks prior, my mother-in-law became gravely ill and the Sunday afternoon before December 25th an ambulance transported her to the hospital. Given the draconian and illegal Covid restrictions, my wife could only visit the hospital for one hour a day, but that did not deter her from visiting and spending time with her mother.
Early afternoon on the 25th, the doctor called my wife and said that we had better come to the hospital as my mother-in-law was in her final hours on earth. Forced to wear uncomfortable and restrictive masks, gowns, gloves, and eye protection, we sat by the hospital bed. For several hours we sat, prayed, and watched my mother-in-law’s labored breathing waiting for the final moment to arrive. Her last, calm breath came late on Christmas night of 2021 as she passed into eternity.
Early in her life, my mother-in-law had trusted Christ as her Savior, and she knew that she would be in His presence in Heaven. Passing “from death unto life1”, she is with Jesus, her husband, sister, other loved ones, and friends. After she died, we received phone calls, text messages, notes, and other personalized messages saying how my mother-in-law impacted the lives of other people.
As Thanksgiving approaches, for whom are you thankful? Now is the time to speak into the lives of those family members and people around you.
The photo is from the Khe Sahn display in the Vietnam exhibit at the National Museum of the Marine Corps2. The Marine leaning over the body bag is saying goodbye to his friend that was killed in action. Once someone dies it is too late to tell them what they meant to you and how they touched your life. Yes, there are some people that we have no idea of how to contact and that is beyond our control. However, there are individuals that you can reach out to now and let them know how they have impacted your life before it is too late. Don’t wait and don’t delay. Thanksgiving is a good day to say thank you.
1John 5:24 NKJV
2National Museum of the Marine Corps – The National Museum of the Marine Corps (usmcmuseum.com)
