Testimony 11-11-12
Today, I am
grateful for many things.
First of
all, today is Veteran’s Day, a day dedicated to those brave enough, devoted
enough, to be willing to put themselves in harm’s way for the sake of
others. I praise God for the men and women
willing to be of service to their country, regardless of the cost. There are many veterans in this room. Thank
you for your service to this great country of ours.
Today is
also my 17th wedding anniversary.
Two days ago, Friday, was the 5th anniversary of Keith’s
graduation to Glory.
Today, for
me, is bittersweet…but mostly sweet.
It is in
this loss that our family has really learned to be grateful.
I have much
to be grateful for in having been married to such a wonderful, Godly
husband. His Christian example has
helped to make the boys and me into the people we are today, and his dedication
to Christ and Christian principles have allowed us to go on without him…and
even to thrive.
I look
around this congregation and see much to be grateful for as well.
Several of
you were there on the day Keith and I married.
You have been with us since the beginning, welcoming each of our boys in
succession, watching us grow and change with each passing year.
I see even
more who have been there every step of the way since Keith’s death.
In these
past five years, the boys and I have confidently, consistently, completely felt
your support and love.
Whether it
was Mother’s Day or birthday gifts, home and car repairs, or support for the
boys as they become men, this congregation has listened to the Holy Spirit’s
prompting and helped out my family.
That’s what
community is supposed to be…the church as described in Acts.
I can never
fully express what that means to me…and to them.
Mostly,
though, on this day I am grateful to a God who loves me in spite of my failings
with a passion that I learn more of each day.
He holds me in the palm of His hand…and He always will. He loves me enough to hone the rough
edges…and to make glory out of my ashes.
He quite literally floors me with His love.
I am
thankful that in my grief and sorrow, He has not left me but instead has
allowed me to grow ever closer to Him, being my Husband in a new and special
way.
I have
learned many lessons over the past 5 years.
Some of them have been painful; some of them have been very painful. But the most important lesson my family and I
have learned is that God is always there. On the good days, on the bad days, in the
middle of the night, on the road trips, as the boys grow. Always.
And I am
grateful. So, so grateful.
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