I’ve been having some health problems for the past year or so, and I had to go for a CAT scan yesterday. Evidently, the facility was running way behind because I sat there for two hours waiting for a test that wouldn’t take but 10-15 minutes.
I hadn’t planned to be there that long ,so it was a bit frustrating as the hands on the clock moved slowly from number to number. But then I overheard the nurses talking about one of the other patients, “Is this the scan we’re doing for the mass in the pancreas?” Oh my.
I took a good look around the waiting room. There was the lady with no hair, a bandana wrapped around her head. There was a woman who was obviously very sick, her steps slow and laborious as she went back for her test. There was an elderly couple, both weak but trying to support each other as they moved to their seats in the waiting area.
There were several with tanks of oxygen, tubes trailing from their faces as they received life-giving breaths. There were numerous folks in wheelchairs and people who waited with anxiety stamped all over them. I sat there with tears in my eyes.
I’ve thanked God on many occasions for the things and blessings He’s given to me, but I don’t think I’ve ever thanked Him before for what I don’t have. I started doing that while I sat in the waiting room.
READ MORE: A REFUGE IN TOUGH TIMES
God, I thank You that I don’t have a mass in my pancreas—or any other type of cancer. How You’ve blessed me that I don’t have to use a wheelchair or have someone help me walk across the room because I’m too weak to do it alone. Don’t ever let me take that for granted!
Lord, I thank You that I don’t have to wear a bandana today because my hair’s fallen out and that I don’t have to use a tank of oxygen to help me breathe.
I thank You that I don’t have to face the hard times in my life without knowing that You’re there with me. I’m so grateful that I don’t have to go through life without those tried-and-proven promises that You’ve given to each of us. Those sweet verses that came to mind while I was having my scan were so precious and calming to me.
God, I don’t think I’ve ever thanked You that I don’t have to go to my house and live in fear of abuse. Or that I don’t have to walk or take a bus because I don’t have a car to get home.
Father, I thank You today that I don’t have to bail my children out of jail or wonder where they are. Or that I don’t have to worry about how I’ll buy enough groceries to feed my family. Such amazing blessings. . .once we stop to think about them.
Are there things you don’t have that you need to thank God for today?
Dear Father, thank You so much for all the blessings you’ve given to me and to my family. I’m so grateful for those. Thank You for opening my eyes to see the gift of the things that I don’t have. Bless those sweet folks who were in the waiting room yesterday and others who are dealing with crisis in their lives. Let them feel Your presence in a special way. Amen.
