Freely Speaking with Debbie

To be thankful takes a certain amount of remembering. Looking back at the past few months of my life, I can genuinely say I’m thankful. Not that my situation is any better, but God's blessings have been abundant.

If you don’t know my story, my husband has Alzheimer’s and Lewy body disease. This past June, I placed him at the VA Center in our town. It was a tough decision; it’s still rough, even after three months. But I’m thankful he made the plan by signing up for the wait list six years ago. My husband knew life would get hard for me as his caregiver, and he didn’t want that for me. I’m thankful that God provided four people to confirm that I was doing the right thing. I’m grateful that he adapted quickly and fairly easily. I’m also thankful for everyone who prayed for me as I adjusted.

Max Lucado said this about thankfulness; “Gratitude comes from having the right perspective. It’s being able to look at what you have and being thankful for that, rather than longing for what you don’t have.”

I don’t have my life partner at home with me anymore. The disease stole that person away months ago. I would love to have him back, but I must be appreciative of what we had. I must be grateful for the blessing of a place that takes excellent care of him. I am thankful that God is always with both of us.

There is a song called Blessings with this chorus, “What if Your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears? And what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near? And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (CEV) says, “Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.”

I will continue to be thankful and look for God in my situation because He is faithful and has good plans for my life. He will be with me and with my sweet husband.