Thank You List Saturday #11

Whenever I've listed what I'm thankful for I detail what I have.  This week I'm struck by what I don't have.  

I don't have a spouse or child who is chronically ill.  Like so many others money is tight, but I don't have to worry where our next house payment or even meal is coming from.  I haven't had to bury a family member before their time. I don't have to lie awake wondering where a loved one is.  I don't have to depend on another person to dress me or feed me.

Today.

There's no guarantee that any one of those things won't change tomorrow.

I used to say that last sentence while secretly thinking deep down that it wouldn't happen to me.  Not anymore.  Because I know really good people who are facing each of one of the those trials.  Why on earth would I think I'm exempt from tribulation when others are not?

So the question is what do I do with this knowledge?  Do I live the life of a pessimist, waiting for the other shoe to drop?  Do I frantically try to prevent anything bad from ever happening? That's typically what I default to.

Here's what I want to do:  trust Him.

I want to trust in the Creator of all things and the Sustainer of life.  I want to remember His faithfulness in my life and in the lives of those who have walked through fiery trials before me. I want that knowledge build a faith that prepares me for whatever lies ahead; to remember that my circumstances will never change His character or His power.

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness.  I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him."

Lamentations 3:22-24