thanksgiving
I just read my post from a year ago: from Thanksgiving 2008.
Read it here
Thankful for Cancer
I’m still thankful today for what God has done in the hearts of the people closest to me. We know him in a different – much more real - way. There is a huge tension though as I consider the pain and loss that someone I loved so greatly experienced. It doesn’t seem fair.
There are still so many things that don’t seem fair. While God is blessing me more than I can explain each day, he also rips my heart out on a regular basis. Whether its death of someone I love, stage IV cancer diagnosis for a coworker, major financial struggles for a good friend or the loss of faith in someone I’ve invested so much in trying to encourage…and that’s just this month.
It’s normal for us to feel like questioning God on some of the difficulties we end up walking through. Job did right? He found himself questioning God as he approached the lowest time in his life. Now, to be fair…we all would probably do the same thing if we lost our family, wealth and health. But I love God’s response to him: “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?’ – Wow. For me that’s quite humbling. It brings me right back to the place where I say:
God, no matter what you ask me to walk through, I will praise you. I will be thankful for the provision and blessing in my life, regardless of the trials you let me endure. The joy I have is from you and I am so thankful.
Job 38:1-7 (NLT)
1 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom
with such ignorant words?
3 Brace yourself like a man,
because I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell me, if you know so much.
5 Who determined its dimensions
and stretched out the surveying line?
6 What supports its foundations,
and who laid its cornerstone
7 as the morning stars sang together
and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?
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:) Happy Thanksgiving, Darren. Just want to say that I am very thankful for this blog and all of the faith, love, and strength that you have portrayed through your posts. It has truly altered my life in a way I can’t even grasp. I hope you and yours have a great day!
Lyndsay – Wow, I’m so humbled by these words. Really…thank you so much for sharing that with me. I hope you have a great day as well.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Olivia.
Darren,
These verses meant so much to me when we lost our nephew in Iraq. God is so in control of our lives. Just how you live the days he has alloted us. I am so proud of you,will continue to keep you’ll in my prayers.
Love,
Pat J.
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. May the name of the Lord be praised.” Job 1:21
Thanks you, Darren, for continuing your honest search and praise for God in suffering and in joy. Thank you for posting it for complete strangers like me to read. Your reflection strengthens my faith.