By Beth Ferguson, Lay Leader and Member to the Annual Conference.
Psalm 116 is a Psalm of gratitude. God loves us and walks beside us throughout our lives in sickness and in health. God loves us and walks with us when our loved ones are ill or struggling. God loves us and walks with us when we mourn. In return we give thanks to the Lord for all that God has done.
How do we show gratitude when we are struggling to just survive? For me, I think about what good is in a situation. Because I have ALS, I have had several losses. When I first went to my support group, I thought everyone there must not like it when I come walking in when most of the others are in wheelchairs. I can physically care for myself when others are dependent on caregivers to bathe and dress them. I have come to realize though, that they all fear the loss of speech and swallowing which is what I first lost. Each of us sits there and says, at least I can still … whatever they haven’t lost. I am grateful that I can walk and care for myself. I am grateful that my left arm is growing weak and not my dominant right arm.
I am thankful that I live alone and not in a care facility where COVID-19 can run through all the patients very quickly. Whatever it is that you have lost through this virus, be thankful for what you still have. If your needs are financial, be thankful for unemployment checks and food pantries that can help you. If you are a healthcare worker, be thankful that you are well enough to work. If you are a parent and trying to become a teacher too, be thankful for this time with your children, to watch them grow and develop. If you are graduating from high school, be thankful for your education, even if you have to miss out on graduation ceremonies and all the excitement that brings.
So, whatever you’re feeling sad about, or grieving, or worrying about, take a moment to give a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord.
Praise the Lord!