A dear friend of mine recently had serious surgery. My other friends and I prayed for her and when I checked on her to see how she was doing after the surgery she responded, “Prayers got me through this. Life is good!” I was so pleased to hear that she was recovering, but it was also a reminder to me that Christians aren’t grateful because of our happiness – we are happy because of our gratefulness.
I have God’s promise that I will be with my wife again when my tour of duty here is complete. But it wasn’t until I stopped mourning her loss and became grateful for all of those years she was with me and all of the experiences we shared together that a smile returned to my face and joy returned to my heart. I think one of the greatest things about being a Christian is that we know who to thank for everything good in our life and through Jesus Christ we can come before our heavenly Father with prayers of gratitude.
Someone recently told me that she didn’t know how I could stand my physical limitations and the loss of freedom that has resulted. She couldn’t imagine not being able to drive or walking with pain on a walker or relying on others for household chores, meals and transportation. To her that seemed like a living hell. She cannot understand how I can possibly be happy with this life. If I concentrated on those things, it would be a miserable existence; but those losses are nothing compared to what I still have and what I have gained.
Here are just a few of those blessings for which I’m so grateful. The help I receive through Catholic Charities, the VA and my church make it possible for me to stay in my home. I rely much more on God now, not only to get me safely from room to room, but to guide everything I do (including this blog). I have so many close friends now who give me help, encouragement and fellowship; my Christian brothers who take me to breakfast early Saturday mornings; and five women (including the one recovering from surgery). My relationship with each of those women is completely free from romance or jealousy. We share a special bond through the Holy Spirit, but none of us is looking for another partner at this stage of our life. Finally, in spite of my physical limitations, God has blessed me with a sound mind and a very strong desire to encourage and lift the spirit of others. My dear friend is right – life is good!
It reminds me of a very upbeat song by The Hoppers family gospel group. The chorus says it all. “Life is good cause God is
Life is good cause I’m His…
Life is so, so good!”