I shared this to Instagram ( @amykay_barber) and the thought continued after I posted…

In the season of Thanksgiving, I think it’s a good thought to remember that we are to “give thanks TO God IN all circumstances”….

The pressure is on to be thankful FOR all things and, frankly, that just isn’t possible as there is much I couldn’t possibly be thankful for.

BUT, I can be thankful IN all those circumstances…

No matter who sits at my table or doesn’t, no matter in illness or health, no matter in conflict or in peace~ I AM thankful to the Lord for His salvation, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and faithfulness.

There my focus must rest.

#1thessalonians5 #thankful #thankfulheart #crohnsfighter #depressionfighter #anxietywarrior #anxietysupport #whatareyouthankfulfor

The picture I shared was taken a few months after the life – altering experience of my husband’s sister death at the age of 41 from liver failure due to her alcoholism.

I don’t know how many of you have lived through the destruction that addiction has on a family …but I can attest to the truth that it is devasting.

It has a domino affect that far surpasses the individual with the addiction and carries its wounds long into the future in the form of scars.

The picture represents a fragment of a family that was blown to bits after her death and trying desperately to cling to something good.

Looking into the faces, a stranger sees smiling faces and children distracted by something better than the idea of freezing a memory.

I see the deep hurt resonating inside me while echoing in my husband.

What you don’t see are her children that are off to the side running through that pumpkin patch …

I can hear them laughing in my mind…

The memory is fresh from that day…

The holidays stir those memories up, don’t they?

Therefore, surviving the holidays becomes important.

How can we when we do ache as we remember those who will not be joining us this year?

By being thankful …

Thankful for the memories.

Thankful we loved them.

Thankful they loved us.

Thankful for a chance to be reunited.

Thankful for those we have gathered around us.

Thankful for the many undeserved blessings given.

Be thankful to God in all circumstances.

He heals the sting of that sacrifice of praise.