Be thankful to be alive

If I had never been born, I would not have known the joy of falling in love. I would not have known the meaning of unselfishness, sacrifice or consideration for the needs of others.

I would never have experienced that special kind of love motherhood brings…a special feeling of pride for three wonderful sons.

I would have missed the laughter of children at play with the excitement and wonder in their eyes and the trust and faith in their hearts. They became my “teacher “ for 31 years, revealing to me “It’s what’s on the inside that counts.”

I could have missed too much if I had never been born. I would never have known nor would I have appreciated life and its meaning or its purpose.

Life enables me to hear the soft gentle falling rain on my roof, and it soothes my soul, giving me peace. The warm sunshine on a crisp fall day fills me with gratitude and excitement for being alive. The smell of new-mown grass makes me acutely aware that I have been given senses, a gift to enjoy this life.

Had I never been born, I would not have had pain, but neither would I know or appreciate God’s provision of healing. The incredible mercy and grace of our “fearfully and wonderfully made” bodies bring thankfulness, and I am overcome with amazement. (Psalm 139:14)

The creativity of an awesome God inside our bodies, organs, tissue and muscles that work together for a lifetime is awesome. Hearts that beat and lungs that breathe for decades speak of God’s goodness that cannot be equaled.

To have never heard a mockingbird’s song, the crunch of snow under my feet or the voices of loved ones is incomprehensible to me. How could I have missed all of that? I’m so glad I was born. I would not have missed it for the world. Had I not been born, where would I be? In a sea of nothingness, no usefulness, a void, a dark place with no existence.

But I was born. Of all the millions and millions of people who have lived, God chose you and me, and he has a plan for our lives. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).

I had rather to have lived and loved than never to have lived at all. More than anything else I would not have known the depths and sacrifice of a loving God who sent Jesus to save me from myself.

I love white fluffy clouds in a lovely blue sky.

I’m thankful for grass and cattle grazing close by.

I love the warm nuzzle of a pony’s tender nose,

A kitten’s silky fur and the beauty of a rose.

The frosty cold air of a long winter’s night.

My husband’s arms as he holds me tight.

For the sweet smell of new mown hay,

The touch of my bed after a long hard day.

“So many blessings,” I think as I say,

“Do we take things grated? Please not,” I pray.

May I always be grateful for goodness I see.

May others behold the Jesus in me.

All around me, I can only say, “Yes!” I would do it all again, and on this Thanksgiving Day, I will be thankful for this life and even more for eternal life. Happy Thanksgiving, dear reader.

I’m glad you were born.