Those who know my family are aware that we’ve had a “learning experience” this past year. A much-loved relative went from fairly normal independent living to almost completely helpless with advanced dementia within less than three months ¹. Getting a diagnosis, finding caregivers, dealing with financial and legal issues have all been…umm…an adventure.

A first thought might be that it could be difficult to write a Thanksgiving article this year. But I don’t think it will be. Through this experience, I have had much for which I can thank God.

I Thank God for Blessings through Crisis

I thank God for medical technology. X-Ray’s, MRI’s, CT scans and ultrasounds give extraordinary insight into the workings of the human body…and they do so without being invasive. There is a plethora of drugs available to manage symptoms and give relief (and, hopefully, someday there will be those to cure, as well). Such things have only been available for a few years of human history. Many are still unavailable to much of the less-developed world.

I thank God for caring people. Doctors have worked to diagnose the problem and find the best treatment. Nurses and CNA’s have been unfailingly patient and kind while giving round-the-clock care. Office staff in all areas of expertise have provided advice and counsel. Bankers have helped with financial questions, court clerks with legal-bureaucracy questions.

I thank God for loving friends. The prayers offered by our church families have been answered, sometimes in obviously miraculous ways. Several times, the same friends and fellow Christians played a part in those answers, providing the support needed in the perfect way and time.

I thank God for His guidance. In the twists and turns of this journey, one door would open just as another closed. Each decision needed led to the next in a sequence that seems foreordained…now. At the time, we just did our best with what was in front of us while praying that God would let us know the right thing to do.

I thank God for His provision. Stressful days would push me to my limits, but not beyond them. God provided enough energy to do what was needed. Then He would provide a time to recharge before the next round. There were times when the feeling of His support was almost physically tangible.

I thank God for His preparation. Knowledge gained during my career, and contacts my husband made during his, became invaluable resources for meeting new challenges. Friends who are ahead of us on the journey, having already dealt with similar illness within their own families, have passed their insights along to us.

I thank God for knowledge gained. I now know more about dementia that I ever intended to. I am also now much more conversant than I used to be about long-term care considerations. I’m sure that one outcome of this time will be that we can in turn help someone else.

I thank God for the opportunity to grow, to push beyond my usual limits. I have been more loving, more willing to serve, than I would normally be. I have dealt with new situations and choices that would never have come my way otherwise.

I thank God for lessons learned. More than anything else, I’ve learned that He is in control. He has a plan, and He is several steps ahead of me to get that plan implemented. My part is not to control things. It’s to participate and take my place in the choreography that He has in mind.

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:3-5

Note: For a musical interpretation of this gratitude, here is Casting Crowns with their song “Praise You in this Storm“.

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I Thank Him for Every Day Blessings

In addition to the thankfulness I have for blessings received via the family crisis, I also thank God for things that He always gives.

I thank Him for the big, beautiful world He created.

I thank Him for the free country where He allows me to live.

I thank Him for life and health.

I thank Him for laughter and joy.

I thank Him for love and fellowship.

I thank Him for family and friends.

I thank Him for advanced technology, and for unspoiled nature.

I thank Him for sunshine and rain, summer and winter, spring and fall.

I thank Him for mountains and canyons, rivers and oceans, prairies and beaches.

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

James 1:17

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I Am Grateful for God Himself

Besides the gifts He gives, I am grateful to God simply for who He is.

I am grateful that He is Sovereign.

I am grateful that He is loving.

I am grateful that He is faithful.

I am grateful that He is just and righteous.

I am grateful that He is gracious and merciful.

I am grateful that He is always present, always with me, always watching over me.

I am grateful that He was willing to give Himself to save me.

I am grateful that He is mine, and that I am His.

I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonders.
I will be glad and exult in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
…
Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.

Psalm 9:1-2, Psalm 105:1-3

See? That wasn’t difficult at all!

Happy Thanksgiving!

1. There had been hints for the previous few months: stability issues causing frequent falls, more forgetfulness and confusion than usual. But nothing had anticipated the dramatic decline that she experienced over just a couple of months.