Thankful in the Loneliness.

She listened as I poured my heart out over Thai chicken salad and sips of iced tea. What began as a casual, catch-up lunch conversation with a long-time mentor and friend started getting down to the real heart of things.

I was alone.

I was overwhelmed.

I was sad.

I was exhausted.

My husband had been deployed to Afghanistan and my two kids and I still had several months till his return. It was tough being a single mom anxious about a loved one constantly in danger, and it was starting to get the best of me. I didn’t feel like myself and I didn’t like the gloomy gal I was becoming.

As we continued to talk, my friend encouraged me to persist in prayer, to spend time in God’s word, and to not be afraid to share my struggles with others.  All good things I needed to hear.

And then she graciously challenged me to be thankful.

Thankful?

I hadn’t been expecting that. Sure, there were things I appreciated more while John was away – the freedom to watch a romantic comedy, eat cereal for dinner, and call the shots on my own schedule. But, really, truly, thankful?

I left lunch convicted and chewed on the thought some more.  She was right. God wants us to be thankful no matter what we’re going through. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 )

As I rocked my daughter to sleep that night I thought about everything I had to be grateful for, even with her daddy thousands of miles away. I began to pray, “Thank you, Father, for the precious little girl I am holding, thank you for her brother sleeping next door, thank you for my husband who bravely fights for his family and country, thank you for our safety and our health…” The list went on and on.  And something happened; the focus went off of my sadness and turned to Him, the giver of all good things.  I realized how much I had been taking for granted and I felt grateful to the Provider of everything I had.  I thanked Him again the next night and the next.

Then one night I began to thank Him for the solitary season of life I found myself in. 

I am alone…thank you for always being near.  (Psalm 139:7-10, Psalm 46:1-3)

I am overwhelmed…thank you for giving me peace. (John 14:27, John 16:33)

I am sad…thank you for giving me joy through your Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13, Galatians 5:22)

I am exhausted…thank you for giving me strength. (Isaiah 40:28-31, 1 Chronicles 29:12)

Thank you, Father, that being on my own has made me realize my deep need for You.

Thank you for meeting every need in ways only You can. 

Thank you for using this unique time to draw me closer to You and to heal me and grow me. 

Thank you for your love.

Thank You.

It’s incredible how gratitude altered my perception and helped me see how God faithfully and lovingly filled every need. Thanking Him showed me how His provision and presence could carry me through anything I might face.

Whatever you might be going through, it’s okay to feel sad, angry, hurt, frustrated, or tired, but, as my friend encouraged me, and Paul encouraged the Ephesians, “…give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20) Your outlook may shift too!

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Psalm 118:1

PS We have even more to be thankful for this Thanksgiving – John is now home from Afghanistan!

Thankful, Christine Caldwell