HC traveled most of the month
and I privately began gearing up for Thanksgiving Day. I found out early that he would be away and
quite honestly, that’s not unusual for the Marson household. We’ve certainly missed daddy on several
holidays and special occasions due to war and deployments. What I didn't or couldn't adequately prepare for was
being away from the United States and any sort of community that acknowledged
or celebrated the holiday. Thanksgiving is family, food, laughter, and Cowboy football. For the last 41 years this has been the status quo. That was about to change.
Jesus.
I had a rough couple of weeks
leading up to one of my favorite holidays. The
Explorer decided to quit on me after dropping the boys off in Switzerland. Because I don’t live in the area and only travel
back and forth I wouldn’t say I have a “network” of other moms to call and ask
for help. Eventually the car started (4
hours later) and I drove it directly to be repaired. That morning of feeling completely alone, not
speaking the language, and not knowing whom to call was tough.
Jesus.
The week following the car
debacle I would arrive in Switzerland, anxious to pick up the boys, to discover
Harry favoring his wrist and appearing near tears. We headed straight to the emergency room. Well, not straight – I had no idea where to
go, what to do, or how I was going to fill out paper work that was written in
German. Did I mention HC was in
France? We made it to an emergency room
in Germany and the diagnosis was a broken wrist. Harry was casted, given a follow-up
appointment, and we were sent on our way home.
This would be the first time I can honestly say I've missed drive-thru
eating establishments! It was 9:00PM and
we hadn’t had dinner, done homework, or taken baths. What I would have given for a McDonald's drive-thru!
Jesus.
Thanksgiving came and the
boys had school and soccer practice. The day progressed like any other day,
nothing out of the ordinary. I had a lovely morning coffee with the wives from ISTC (International Special Training Center). I was proud of myself; I was doing well and
hadn’t shed a tear. Then I realized we
were eating grilled cheese for dinner.
Tears. I was missing my family.
Jesus.
But wait, I still hadn’t
posted my “thankful status” on Facebook!
This month I have been posting something I was thankful for each
day, along with 300-400 of my closest friends. I needed and wanted to be thankful. I have come to realize that He created us this way, we want to praise and thank Him. Even in the yucky, lonely, desperate places …. we were created to give praise and thanksgiving. He promises to meet us there, wherever "there" may be.
“Going a little farther, he
fell with his face to the ground and prayed.
“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39
Because of what He did, all I
have to do is call on his name. Is that
not incredible and indescribable love?
It’s been a challenging month, but my hope is in Him. Jesus.
I pray that I have eyes to see the way He constantly blesses me. I want to rest in the way He loves me. His words tells me that I'm never alone, never forgotten, made in His image, amazing & wonderful, cared for, and beautiful.
I want to live
a life of praise and thanksgiving for the one who asked, "may this cup be taken from me."
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