Thankful

Sometimes it’s a bad idea to turn on the news. Kyle and I don’t have television so we don’t watch the headlines but we do listen to a lot of radio. After a particularly depressing round of stories about the bad economy, the rising unemployment, the violent upheaval around the world, and the famine in Ethiopia, I found myself in the grocery store check-out line last night.

“How are you today?” the cashier asked as he handed me my receipt.

“You know, I’m alright,” I said. “After listening to the news, I’m feeling like I’m doing pretty good, considering.”

He nodded, “Yeah, I guess it’s just good that we’re still here.”

His words have stuck with me since yesterday.

I don’t really talk about this  on the blog very much but I volunteer as an advocate for sexual assault survivors who come to the hospital. It’s something I’m very, very passionate about and I love having the opportunity to be a tiny part of her or his recovery “team.” This morning, after a particularly difficult case, I was once again struck by the cashier’s words, “I guess it’s just good that we’re still here.”

I am often tempted to be discouraged by the financial struggle, the stress of grad school, the difficulty of marriage and of life, period. This morning I was reminded that God’s provision in my life continues to be very real and very consistent. I may not have all it together in terms of money or career or life goals…but God has been good enough to keep me sheltered and loved and showered with opportunities to love others. And no recession or debt crisis or famine can take away my ability to love. I am still here. And that means God has someone for me to love.

So today I am thankful for the reminder. I am thankful to be here. And I am thankful for each of you.

What about you? What are feeling especially thankful for this week?

love, elizabeth