I’m delighted to welcome Author SM Ford to Peggy’s Hope 4U today! I asked her to do a guest blog on this site that was inspirational. She has chosen to honor us with a topic that’s on everyone’s mind this weekend: Being Thankful!
Being Thankful by Author SM Ford
People often express their gratitude and appreciation during November. But sometimes we are reminded even more to appreciate our family and friends when tragedy strikes. For me, it was when a dear friend lost her adult son in a car accident last week. As I pray for her and her family in their loss, as I pray for others dealing with difficult situations, I’m reminded to be thankful. I want to shout out to others, “Love your kids now, they may not be here tomorrow.”
But really, I’m only responsible for myself. I may be annoyed by family members at times, but I should be thankful for them instead. I do know what loss is like having lost both parents, a brother, a father-in-law, and numerous aunts and uncles, so I shouldn’t waste time by grumbling about remaining family members. Or friends.
Gratitude
I am grateful to God that I’ve gotten to see both of my daughters and their husbands and the grandsons recently. I’m so thankful for my husband. I’m grateful for God’s provision in many ways. One of those is how He provides family through his church. Friends at church have become family for us as we moved across the country and back several times. Thank you, God, that You created us to be family.
As I think of the privileges most of us have in America, I’m reminded to be thankful. Many people in third world countries would be amazed at our hot and cold running water and twenty-four-hour electricity. (I’ve gone on mission trips and have seen the lack myself.) There’s currently a wind storm in progress, but I’m safe and warm inside. Thank you, God. I am no more deserving than anyone else on the earth.
I have health issues but have good medical care and insurance to cover most of the expense. I’m grateful for both.
Yes, I’m getting older. Yes, our country is far from perfect. Yes, there are tragedies happening around the world. But still, I will praise the Lord for who He is.
Biography
SM Ford has written an inspirational novel for adults.
She is a Pacific Northwest gal but has also lived in the midwest (Colorado and Kansas) and on the east coast (New Jersey). Ms. Ford and her husband have two daughters and two sons-in-law and three grandsons. She can’t figure out how she got to be old enough for all that, however.
Author SM Ford loves assisting other writers on their journeys and is a writing teacher, speaker, mentor, and blogger about writing. You can find out more at smfordbooks.com.