Threads of Gratitude (aka: “Seeing through a glass darkly”)

“Now I know in part;

then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

I Corinthians 13:12b

As I reflect on the journey of our last 13 months, I can see how God was orchestrating our lives to bring us to this point, this decisive moment.  This experience of testing.  And I’m grateful.

In my human-ness, my limited vision, my finite understanding I couldn’t see it…until now.  I was seeing through a glass darkly, but now God is pulling away that film, removing that dusky tint from my eyes and allowing me a glimpse of what He has planned from the foundations of the earth.  And what I can see is beautiful.  Hard, yes.  Painful, definitely.  But still, beautiful.

I couldn’t understand why God specifically called us out of our supportive, loving church family in Plano.  But now I do.

I’m grateful to be sharing this journey with not just one, but two church families who are interceding on our behalf.

I didn’t understand why God led us to jump into ministry so quickly at McKinney Fellowship.  But now I do.

I’m grateful to be close by to our church, with an extended network of support to minister to our whole family.

I couldn’t understand why I didn’t have a peace about returning to work full-time this year.  But now I do.

I’m grateful to have the time and energy to devote to caring for my husband during this time.

I couldn’t understand why God never released Matt from his job at SHW.  But now I do.

I’m grateful Matt has a steady paycheck, sick leave, and full health benefits to help us stay solvent.

I couldn’t understand why my efforts to be more involved in my children’s school were not working out.  But now I do.

I’m grateful that God spared me from the pit of overcommitment, knowing what lay ahead.

I couldn’t understand why God wouldn’t allow me to be more involved in church ministry this fall.  But now I do.

I’m grateful that God has given me a ministry that ministers to my needs and my spirit.

So much about this past year I didn’t understand.  But now I do.

 I’m grateful that God has a plan, and He is in control.

There are still things I don’t understand.  But I don’t need to.  I just need to trust.

 I’m grateful that I can trust in His goodness, no matter what lies ahead.