Tag God

A Special Thanksgiving

Michael 7 Comments

 

Thank You God for waking me today and reminding me that nothing will happen to me that You and I cannot deal with together. 

That is a pray I’ve said every morning for as long as I can remember. It is a personal thanksgiving that got me through domestic crises, cancer diagnosis and surgeries, and a failed kidney transplant. Not the sort of things usually put on a list of things to be thankful for.  

Yet they are. Together they are the epitome of ‘what doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger’ and that the power of prayer is stronger than man alone.

Two weeks ago today I was in the emergency room, disoriented, unstable, with a crushing headache. As each professional passed through the room the same questions were asked. How long? Maybe a week, maybe 2, was never this bad. Did you fall? No. Did you hit your head? No. Sinus infection? Yes. And a million or so tests taken and I was ultimately admitted to the cardiac floor (because I do have valve issues).

To make a long story short, everything that could be considered was considered except what I was considering. Perhaps it is something brain related. On Saturday afternoon, my daughter and sisters were visiting and almost simultaneously, asked what was happening. Apparently they all noticed my face drooped and my speech slurred, and just as fast, returned to normal. Not able to recite three people’s observation, thee attending physician ordered a CT Scan, and in quick order, another, the a transfer to neurology l then another series of scans and MRIs. A day later, a diagnosis…a subdural hematoma.

We still don’t know how it happened but I know I was able to deal with, together with my Highest Power and somehow He”d get the message to someone to check that out. 

Sometimes it’s the big obvious things that scream for gratitude. Sometimes it’s the quiet moments that remind you the everyday is a day of thanksgiving. And none of them do we get through with some help.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. And don’t forget to thank your Highest Power. 

 

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If not God, then who?

Michael Leave a comment

This week saw the outside Christmas display erected at He of We’s.  Display and erected may be a little ambitious for what is out there.  A few small trees and some white lights bunched behind a primitive painting of the Nativity.  Fortunately those expounding separating our state from our church haven’t wandered down He’s street where the birth of the Son of God is being celebrated en masse.

It’s the time of year for pretty trees and bright decorations, for Nativities from living to foam, for carolers and revelers.   It’s also the time of year many Americans get crazy over political correctness.  Yes there are still corporate memos distributed that say if you want to extend holiday greetings during the holiday season then those are the words you should use, “Holiday greetings.”  But exactly what holiday is it that we are celebrating…Black Friday?

This year things are looking up for those who recognize the four freedoms include freedom OF religion (versus freedom FROM religion).  A move is actually being made even by some politicians to recognize that the country was built on Judeo-Christian values and that we should start celebrating them.  This includes a push to have the country’s motto displayed at public buildings including schools right there next to the country’s flag.  It’s getting a little response from the anti-God groups but nothing like making sure we say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas.

The motto itself is encouraging.  It’s not from the 1700’s when everybody included God.  It actually wasn’t adopted until 1956 when the country was coming out of back to back wars, revving up for another one, and needed God.  It was about that same time, in 1954, that the words “under God” were added to the Pledge of Allegiance.  It was a time that America wasn’t afraid to recognize a Supreme Being.

What is that motto, anyway?  It’s funny, we make sure it’s on our money, we just don’t talk about it much.  In God we trust.  It seems simple enough, especially at this time of year.  After all, if not God, then who?

Now, that’s what we think.  Really.  How ‘bout you?

(Two years ago we wrote our first controversial post, not from our perspective but some thought so.  We thought it was a very thoughtful and meaningful.  We held off publishing it for a few weeks so we wouldn’t add to the holiday fuel of Happy Holidays versus Merry Christmas.  It’s still a good read.  It’s a long read but we invite you to travel back in time with us and see why some truths are still self-evident.  “We Hold These Truths,” is from January 13, 2012 in Uncategorized.)