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“Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”  Psalm 103:2 (ESV)

It is not always easy to be thankful.

After many years of living across the country from our extended family, we were finally within driving distance, and we could not wait to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with them. We were counting down the days and, in the middle of an extremely difficult season, this was a welcome bright spot. We were giddy with excitement and our cups needed to be filled with hugs, love and a sense of family that we knew was coming.

We were packed up the night before and ready to leave early the morning before Thanksgiving. We wanted every moment we could possibly get with our loved ones. It was a chilly and rainy morning and still dark and quiet as we headed out. We made it about three hours into our drive, and apparently there was a puddle. I hydroplaned. We went up an embankment and through a metal guard rail, where our vehicle flipped over sideways and the rail came through the front passenger window, inches from my mom’s head. My kids were tossed in the back. As we were cut out of the car and firefighters and rescuers arrived to remove us, every one of them repeated the same sentiment-this was a miracle that we all survived with no major injuries.

As a precaution, we were checked out and released. My daughter had a concussion, but thankfully that was all. Then we sat. We sat in the hospital waiting room because I did not know what to do next. We were still several hours from our destination. I did not have money for a rental, I had no one to call, and many places were closed for the holiday. This was our only vehicle, and I could not even bring myself to think about what we would do next, after we figured out how to get home.

We began to pray. One by one things came together. A check I had been waiting for was deposited. One rental place opened, and they had one minivan left. As a bonus it was close enough I could walk there. We were all healthy and free of injuries after what could have been a life altering accident.

As I took care of the details to get us back on the road, I was reminded that even though I was not thankful for these circumstances, I was thankful I had a God who loved me and saw every detail of my life. When I literally had no place else to turn, He was still the God of miracles. I was thankful that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was invested in my kids way more than I could ever be. I was thankful that He is my Savior and I never have to walk alone. My focus turned to WHO He is. Thankfulness slowly began to flow through me. By the time I walked to the rental place and returned, I was quietly singing praises with the radio and joy was bubbling up from a deep place inside me. A joy I had not had in a very long time.

Not because of my circumstances, but because of Who I serve and Who loves me through them.

I had not realized how caught up I was in my own struggling state of affairs, and I was just going through the motions. There were many other blessings and many other hardships that came out of this accident, but that day, the most important one was that my heart was full of thankfulness for the precious Father I had. I learned that when I focus on Him, my heart is overwhelmingly thankful and circumstances begin to fade into the background.

Happy Thanksgiving, my Friends. Wherever you are, know you are so loved and will never be alone.

“Father, thank you for loving us and teaching us to be thankful because we have You.”

For His Glory

Terrie Tollerson (Follow me @TerrieTollerson on Instagram or check out my website at TerrieTollerson.com)
TRBC Women’s Life