Thank Me

Our son, Ray

One thing is for sure, thankfulness changes my perspective. I’m not saying it’s easy for me to be grateful throughout the day, but when I am, my outlook changes dramatically.

The song I’m featuring today is one of the first songs I wrote after I came to believe in Jesus as my Savior. “Thank Me” sprung from memories of learning that my second child had serious health problems.

In the dark room where the doctors quietly discussed the ultrasound, I lay on the table thanking the Lord that my baby-to-be was getting such good attention, I didn’t even realize that they were discussing some troubling problems they saw in my baby’s brain—too much fluid and not enough brain tissue. Ray was born six weeks later. By then, I was schooled about his diagnosis of hydrocephalus by multiple trips to the doctor’s office and hospital for numerous tests. I learned way more than I ever wanted to know about what people sometimes call water-on-the brain.

The moment I learned what the doctors were seeing on that screen, I prayed, “Lord, what should do?” Two words came to mind: “Thank Me.” Closing my tear-filled eyes and gritting my teeth, I silently obeyed. Miraculously, my heart filled with thankfulness and peace. What a mighty God we serve! He knows just what we need to take the next step.

Thirty-eight years later, my son, Ray walks and talks, something the doctors never expected. He is developmentally delayed and requires support, but he lives with his roommate Joey about twenty miles north of us. I spend two evenings a week helping him with dinner prep and housework, and he comes along to all our family functions.

It hasn’t been easy, especially when Ray was young and endured many surgeries. I am happy to report that he hasn’t had surgery in more than twenty years, praise God!

Enjoy listening to my song, “Thank Me,” and let me know what you think. Click the link below.

“Thank Me” by Lynn Lilja and Kathy Enix

Go To’s

Photo by Martin Lang on Pexels.com

How watermelon juice got baked under a burner of my stove top I’ll never know. I removed it and the dirty drip pan and placed the pan in the sink to soak. I searched in the cabinet for my go-to product for such messes—S.O.S. Steel Wool Pads©. Maybe they are old-fashioned and rarely used these days due to non-stick pans, yet I keep a box on hand just in case. Soon the stove looked shiny clean again.

We all have our go-to’s. Things we refer to and depend on. My planner, iPhone, and travel water bottle are just a few examples. Though easy to take for granted, what would I do without them?

That’s true for the emotional, social, and spiritual areas of life as well. Where do we tend to turn when troubles come, or decisions seem hard to make? There is nothing like a trusted friend you can call (or more often text) in an emergency. One problem though—people are busy and don’t always check their messages or voice mail.

When the go-to’s we hoped to hear from aren’t available, and our heart is hurting or mind is racing, look to the one who will never fail to listen. The Lord is available 24-7, and He answers prayers, comforts, and advises. Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Depend on God—He will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Contrasts

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Yesterday, my friend on the first floor called to tell me she could see a
rainbow from her window. I ran down the hall to our sixth-floor balcony and saw
it for myself. I hurried and told my husband, Steve, to come right down and on
the way back to the balcony knocked on my neighbors’ doors to tell them, too. We
stood there awestruck by the stunning view (see photo above). Meanwhile, forty-five
minutes south of us where many of our friends and family live, a terrible thunderstorm
raged. I learned later that night of downed trees and flooded roads. I was taken
by complete surprise, since all we experienced were rumbles of thunder and a radiant
rainbow.

That’s how life is, isn’t it? We don’t know what’s happening everywhere, but
only where we are. Good and bad happen simultaneously, from one place on this
planet to another. Even thirty miles away, people might be facing trauma as we
stand in awe viewing God’s colorful creation.

How shall we live with such contrasts? By keeping our eyes and minds and hearts focused on the one thing that never changes—the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the same yesterday, today and forever, Hebrews 13:8. Here are a few ways we might do this:

  • Draw near to the Lord by reading the Bible daily.
  • Pray about what He shows you or about what you don’t understand.
  • Be attentive to the Holy Spirit, seeking direction moment by moment.
  • Pray for chances to share what the Lord is doing or has done in your life.

On this Labor Day weekend, I pray you’ll find rest, refreshment, and perhaps make special memories with family and friends. Most of all, I hope you’ll gather with your brothers and sisters in Christ in church on Sunday to worship and celebrate our wise, wonderful Creator God.