My daughter arrived in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the middle of the night on the eve of Thanksgiving. A tough respiratory virus attacked her lungs, and she needed a substantial amount of oxygen support. And now, this unexpected illness meant Thanksgiving was going to be completely different than we had all planned.
Are you scrounging for thankfulness this holiday season? Holidays can be a challenge for those walking through hard days. Perhaps you feel like you've been handed the short-end of the stick; your child is struggling, you’re exhausted and it seems like everybody else has life with a bit more gravy. It’s easy to focus on our circumstances, take stock of what we have and where we are and end up feeling completely void of thankfulness. Is there a cure for this?
I first suspected I had ADHD as a teenager, but finding the right professional to take me seriously was much harder than I expected. Previous attempts only ended in frustration and tears.
Enjoying the holidays with a food allergy sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it? After all, eating together is an integral component of the holiday season. I looked forward to making our traditional holiday foods until I was diagnosed with a dairy allergy in 2012. What was to enjoy about the holidays when the foods associated with it were off limits to me?
It was a short, ten-minute drive from the hotel to the residential facility. I maintained composure while I navigated the busy public roads, and then residential streets. I had a whole range of emotions racing through my body, mind and spirit as we pulled into the campus. This was not just a pleasure drive or a routine errand, this was a significant milestone in the life of my son and our family.
As we reflect on our love for each other and God’s love for us this February, here are five verses and prayers to lift up over you and your husband or wife!
"Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope," Romans 5:2-4
God, our marriage doesn't look like what I thought it would when we were dating. But You knew the path we would walk together. Thank You for being there for us even when we didn't know how to be there for each other. Thank you for the lessons we learned in times of suffering. Help us hold on to the endurance, character, and hope we've grown in over the years. In Jesus's name, amen.
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Eph. 4:1-3
God, there are times I don't walk worthy of Your calling on my life. That is most apparent in my home, where those I love the most often get the worst of me. Please work in my heart today and help me be more humble, gentle, patient, and loving. Help us set a time to talk about our personal triggers and what we can do to help each other. Thank you for equipping us to do Your will. In Jesus’s name, amen.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col. 3:14
God, thank you for the partnership of our marriage. When we put on love and everything comes together in perfect harmony, we know that honors You. We ask for Your love and encouragement in the times we aren't in harmony. When we disagree or can't see things from the other's perspective, help us put on love and keep working toward that harmony. In Jesus' name, amen.
By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures. Prov. 24:3-4
God, You inspired James to write, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." We admit we lack wisdom. We are asking You to give it to us generously. Use Your Word, books, and counseling to help us learn and grow. Guide us to true and helpful resources. Fill our minds with understanding and knowledge so we can fill the rooms of our homes with precious and pleasant riches. In Jesus' name, amen.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
God, you are good, generous, and full of grace. You pour out love on us every minute of every day. We can grow so accustomed to Your love that we sometimes forget what a blessing it is. Today we come together to exalt Your name! To magnify You! To bring Your love and blessings into focus in our lives so we don't miss them. Thank you for another week to love You and love each other! In Jesus's name, amen.
Sandra Peoples (M Div) is a special-needs mom and sibling. She and her family live outside of Houston, TX where she serves her church as the Inclusion Coordinator for Special Needs Families. She is also the Special Needs Ministry Consultant for the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention. She’s the author of Unexpected Blessings: The Joys and Possibilities of Life in a Special-Needs Family and cohost of the podcast, Self Care and Soul Care for the Caregiver. You can connect with her at sandrapeoples.com.
