Thankful for even the Snores

     I can still remember the fear that gripped me as I lay in bed listening to the silence of the house, wondering if my family was still there. Something had caused me to wake up, and my mind was full of uncertain thoughts as everyone else slept on; well, at least that is where I hoped they were. I strained my ears, listening for any sort of indication that they were still with me. Could the rapture have come and taken them away? It was all I could think about. Maybe the Lord had returned and for some reason I had not gone, and now I was going to have to fend for myself. Terror filled my little soul and I quickly climbed out of bed. I stood on the cold floor in my nightgown, with my hand on the door. I battled the thought of going into my parent's room and seeing if they were in their bed. I was afraid of what I might not find. And then, if they were there, I was afraid they would get mad that I woke them up for the silly reason of making sure they had not disappeared on me. 
     "Oh, Lord, please let them make a noise!" I prayed. Anything that would reassure me that everything was all right. And then it happened. The loud snorting snore that my parents made was suddenly the best thing that I had ever heard! Maybe it was the thing that woke me up in the first place, but it did not matter now. A peace settled over me and all my fears flew out the window. All was right in the world. Jesus had not returned and I still had my parents around to take care of me. 
     There were other times when similar incidents happened that caused me to think I was left behind, (like when my mom hid in a closet when I was calling her and I panicked because I could not find her) and I was always so relieved and thankful that I had a second chance. It is sometimes hard to image just how a child thinks and reasons through things, but their fears and worries are just as real as the next person's. Children have such a simple way of understanding things, and sometimes they only get half of the story. 
     A conversation with my girls the other night sparked the memory of what I explained above. Though they did not think they were left behind, they were afraid they might not go in the rapture and someday find themselves alone in the house. After asking them a few questions, I found they wanted to get reassurance of their salvation. It was a special moment for us, and afterwards they felt at peace once again. I went to bed thankful for the Lord's leading and thankful that my children get to grow up in a Christian home. 
     This blog is really meant to be about being thankful this Thanksgiving season. So many years past I have seen people posting on their pages something new they are thankful for every day, but not so much this year. We get caught up in the busyness of life and we get stuck in a rut that is hard to pull ourselves out of at times. I never want to stop being thankful for all God has done in my life, for what He has given me, and for the blessings that He daily bestows upon me. So, for the rest of this blog, I want to share some of the things He has done for me and express my thanks to a God Who is Everything to me: 
     I am thankful for my Christian parents, being raised in a Christian home, and being saved at a young age. I am thankful that I get to spend another Thanksgiving with my dad, who came close to death's door a little over a year ago and we had no idea if he would make it to the next day. I am thankful for my husband  who works so hard to provide for us, and always helps out around the house even when he is tired; and yes, I am even thankful for the jokes he makes over and over trying to make me laugh when I am down and grumpy. I am thankful for the talents God has given me in flute playing, writing, song writing, and teaching. May I use them for His glory and honor. I am thankful for the five blessings He has given Joe and me; each one adds a special touch to our family that would be lacking if they were not here. May He give us wisdom as we raise them for Him. I am thankful for my friends, though many of them live far away, we can talk and be right where we left off the last time we chatted over the phone. They are a blessing to me and often give me great encouragement. 
     I am thankful for the opportunity for the children to go to a Christian school. I am thankful for the other teachers and for the principal. I am thankful for my pastor and for my church family, and for the girls and boys who are my children's friends. May they seek God in all they do and always choose the right path. I am thankful for my two brothers and three sisters, as well as their spouses and all their precious children whom I will get to see in a few days. I am thankful for the times we get to spend together, though it is short, I pray it will be a sweet time. And lastly, (for now), I am thankful for the snores that let me know my children are still with me, and we are all safe and secure under the same roof. 
     God bless you this Thanksgiving and remember, don't just say you are thankful, but live a thankful life. Show others you are thankful, and never, never stop thanking our Lord for all the blessings He daily loads upon us.