Give Thanks

"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thess. 5:18.



To give thanks in everything is tough, especially in circumstances like Peggy going home to be with the Lord. Reflecting on the last week of Peggy's life, when I was in the room with Peggy, often I was hearing Peggy say "Thank you, Lord" or "Thank you, Jesus".



Peggy was thankful for each day and hour she was here. How profound. We so often take for granted the days we have; the air we breath; the family and friends around us; the church we go to; the house we live in; the job we have....the list goes on. Peggy was simply thankful for her relationship with God and each day that was given to her.



There are very tough trials that people face in the world around us. Financial problems, loss of a family member, legal problems, and what about our troops in the Middle East. A basic fact is we live in a "fallen" world with alot of problems surrounding us everyday. But the verse above talks about being thankful in everything.



What I learned the week before Peggy's death was that you need to draw close to God and His will. Just like a US Marine might draw close to a amored vehicle or a tank in feirce combat, we need to draw in close to God and be thankful for our relationship with Jesus. When we are under fire or hitting real trials, we don't run from God, but draw in even closer....He will "protect our hearts and minds" in a way that is incomprehensible. While there is sorrow and saddness in the Wolf and Haeussler Families...there is a peace there which God gave that is really hard to understand.



We always need to draw close to Jesus during good times and times of severe trial. Let Him take you through His plan, even though you many not understand it.



"Lord, please protect us and keep us close to You in good times and bad, Amen."



What to thank the Lord for?:



1. For Peggy being in our lives
2. For a supernatural peace over Larry, Lexi, Trinity and Josh
3. For Peggy's friend Julie O's successful lung transplant
4. For the awesome up beat celebration of Peggy's life at the Memorial Service
5. For God showing Himself through and around Peggy's life
6. For those that have committed or re-committed thier faith in Jesus Christ recently

Photo - One I took of the Wolf Family at Peggy's birthday party this past September. People say I look alot like Peggy. I'd disagree....she is alot better looking!