Give Thanks?

With the Thanksgiving holiday coming I have been thinking about what I am thankful for.  It has been very hard because this year has not been good to our family.  On February 9th I delivered Grant.  God gave Tom and I a son.  We were able to spend mere moments with him as he grew in me.  He died before we truly got to meet him.  How can I be thankful after losing Grant?

We were devastated after losing our first son, but we were eager to try again.  It was not long and we found out I was pregnant with Nathan.  Our happiness was short lived when we found out that Nathan would not live much longer.  On November 17th  I delivered Nathan.  Again we had to say good bye too soon.  How can we be thankful after losing Nathan?

We have had nothing, but pain and heart ache this year.  Tears and disappointment have ruled our lives this year and happiness has barely even been in our vocabulary.  After a year of losing so much, how can we be thankful?

I will say, there have been some good things this year.  Both Chelsea and I got great jobs.  I got a teaching job at Atherton Schools and Chelsea got an advising job at Northern Illinois University.  We are both very thankful to not have to work at Outback and to finally be using the degrees we worked so hard for. 

Through all of our sorrow and pain I have seen so many people reach out to our family.  So many people are praying for us, and for that I am truly thankful.  I am thankful that I have an amazing husband who holds me when I cry, who rubs my back when I can't sleep, who loves me unconditionally.  I am thankful for a family who drops everything to support Tom and I. But most of all, I am thankful for the love of Christ.  Through Christ's love and sacrifice I have everlasting life.  I will be able to meet my sweet babies some day.  I will get to hold them in my arms once again. 

In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Praise God for His faithfulness in giving us a child!