As I’ve been preparing for Thanksgiving this week, I’ve been reflecting on the past year, and I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness over and over again.
He’s been faithful on good days, bad days, and hard days. Through every season, I see His hand.
One of my favorite verses is Philippians 3:10: I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.
There’s a word in there I don’t like….suffering. No one wants to suffer, and yet it’s in the valley that, many times, our vision becomes clearer.
Tim Keller writes in his book Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, One great theme of the Bible is how God brings joy not just despite suffering but through it.
I love that he says through it, we don’t set up a tent and stay there; we go through it. Our suffering will end.
Genesis 50:20 says, You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.
Those two words…BUT GOD. As I reflect on the suffering in my life, I can see the good that has come from it. I didn’t like suffering, and some of it I wish hadn’t happened, but I know God has a plan, and I know He’s faithful.
As we begin this week of Thanksgiving, let’s be thankful for God’s faithfulness and count our blessings.
Happy Thanksgiving, friends!
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Sometimes the holidays make me so sad because of the loss I have had in my life, however I am working hard this year to see the beauty of my grandchild and family instead of my loss. Thank you for this post.
Thank you for such a beautiful post!
Thank you so much for these Sunday posts. Genesis 50:20 is one of my favorite verses. We can be assured that even when things happen in our lives that we don’t understand, God will always be with us.
Wonderful post Cyndi and I’m very thankful I discovered your blog a few years ago. Your Sunday lessons I can always relate to. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Kathy,
I was praying, as I’m sure many were, as I read your comment. Asking God for peace in your heartache and for each person this affects. We serve a risen Savior and he knows!
Vera….. Thank you so much means a lot.
PS. Wanted to clarify, my daughter was 3 months pregnant and lost it, she didn’t loose a 3 month old baby.
Thank you Cyndi. I read this as my daughter just lost her baby at 3 months. We had to rush 4 hours away to be with my granddaughter that’s 4 yrs old while they were going into the ER as she was hemmoraging so much. ( My son is a fire fighter paramedic there so he was able to run over to the ER on shift and his wife watched our granddaughter until we got there) It took 3 hours to get an OB surgeon available. By then her pain sky rocketed, and she lost more blood and her BP dangerously low. The surgeon had to tell her all the what could happen, but then she got way down into her face and said she was going to take care of her and it was going to be alright. I knew that was our God speaking into my daughter. She lost 1/3 of her blood so had to have a blood transfusion, so it’s goin to be a longer recovery. So scary as we could have lost her. We just got home last night after being there a week. It was hard to leave, but my sons family lives by her and they will be there to help and my other daughter is going to fly there for next week on her off school break. We are trying to cover them with love and help. My granddaughter is asking so many questions as she is so sad she isn’t going to get her baby. She asked me why God stopped the baby from growing and why He answers all her friends prayers for a baby sister or brother, but doesn’t answer hers for one. Broke my heart. She slept with me every night and I will cherish those talks and time with her. I’m crying as I type. I’m so thankful they know the Lord and will get through this. This is my daughter who I’ve told you about that had her first baby, 6 weeks early and was in the NICU for a long time. God was faithful then and will be this time too. Just hard to not have the question why God? Time will heal. Have a good day Cyndi.
Kathy I am so sorry for what your daughter & family are going through. I had 5 miscarriages before God blessed us with our family. My 3rd miscarriage was at 19 1/2 weeks. It was so tragic & difficult. I don’t know why God allowed all the loses I had, but I do know that during those years of suffering, my faith grew leaps & bounds and I saw God’s faithfulness over & over again. We went on to have twin boys & then a daughter. They are now all young adults in their mid 20’s. I will be praying for God’s peace & comfort for your family and that your daughters faith continues to grow as she seeks to trust in God’s plans. With love & hugs 😘🙏🏻
Lisa….. thank you so much. Can’t imagine what you went through. What a blessing to get twins and then another one. I’m so happy that happened for you. Thank you for sharing. I too had two miscarriages between my two girls. Then had a boy. God does bless.
Kathy,
I am so sorry for your loss; I felt your pain as I read your post. Long story short, my husband and I had been trying to have a baby for almost three years. I finally was able to get pregnant and lost our baby girl at 22 weeks on 10/26/98. We were devastated! However, the Lord blessed us again with another baby girl who was born on 10/26/01 within 15 minutes of her sister. The Lord gives and He takes away but He can also choose to give again! Praying for your daughter and family.
Tammy…. What an incredible story you have. Can’t imagine the pain of loosing a baby at 22 weeks, then to have one on the same month and day. I know you know the pain for sure. Thank you for sharing. Means a lot.
Thank you Cyndi. I am struggling and suffering right now, so this BFTH was something I needed to hear this morning. I’ve been told you can’t expect to simply “get over” life’s difficulties, but instead, God intended us to get through them, with him by our side. I’m praying for strength, clarity and patience for God to work his plan in my life.
VERY well said!!!! A great reminder of Gods unfailing love for us. Bountiful blessings to you and your family.
Good morning Cyndi!! Such true words on BFTH😇
Have a beautiful blessed Sunday and we are Grateful even during times we don’t understand
Wow. I am so glad you posted these thoughts! I was let go from work several months ago. It was time and needed to happen. While it has been full of struggle, applying for jobs still- I have been so blessed and full of gratitude for the struggles and learning experiences. God has been right there, through it all. God intended it all for good, something better is coming. Thank you! Have a great Thanksgiving with your family and friends.