Giving Thanks Through Tears

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday

Why? Because learning to give thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18) has been transformational for me.

This Thanksgiving I have so much to give thanks for.

There were five us—my three children, Steve’s brother and myself—in his ICU room. Each of us took a few minutes to thank Steve one more time for all he had meant to us.

Then, we watched him leave: his color paled, his eyes shut, his body relaxed. God took him. We all huddled together. All I could pray was “Thank You, Lord. Thank You for this wonderful man, for the privilege of being family to him, for having his love for You and service to You touch our lives in such powerful ways. Thank You for ending his suffering and taking him Home to glory.”

And since then, entangled with many tears, I have continued to be so grateful.

Of course, for 47 wonderful years together, for our family, for Cru, for friends and co-workers around the globe, for partnering with others in the Body of Christ, for so much more.

Thank you for my sisters who came to be with me after my children left. And returned two weeks later for the Memorial Service.

Thank You for my children who came with their spouses and children (our 10 grandchildren) for the service, spoke so eloquently and tenderly of Dad/Papa, and stayed for Thanksgiving.

Thank you for all the different people at Cru who helped bring about the beautiful service that accomplished all I had prayed for: Steve was honored, God was glorified, and people were encouraged to entrust their lives to God, to make their lives count.

Thank you to Discovery Church for welcoming us and to the hundreds of friends who came to the service, wrapped loving arms around me and our children, who said words of comfort and care, who promised to keep praying.

Thank you to the thousands who watched online, and many more who have viewed the recording, making beautiful comments and words of prayer in the chat, as well as on the Cru testimonial page and my Facebook and Instagram.

Thank you to all who filled our house with the beauty and fragrance of many flowers, who have given gift cards and books and offers to help. And oh, the lovely cards and sweet notes—I continued reading them today, with smiles and tears.

And thank You, Lord, for your response to me every time I cry out, “How will I live without him?” You say, softly, “I will be with you.”

May your Thanksgiving be filled with peace, friendship, family, love…and deep overflowing gratitude.

cJudy Douglass November 23, 2022