Monty and I went out to dinner tonight with Mom and Dad and our niece, Marky, to celebrate the 48th anniversary of Mom and Dad’s first date. We drove to a restaurant about an hour away, so we got to talk on the way there. Mom told the story of their first date—how Dad asked her, what they wore—48 years later, she remembered it all. And I thought as I listened to her how truly blessed I am to have parents with such a testimony of love and faithfulness and friendship.
On the drive home from dinner, we listened to and sang along with the songs that had been the soundtrack to their dating years and their marriage years. There was a moment when we were all singing “Sweet Caroline,” and I looked over at Monty driving; he smiled and took my hand. I saw Marky in the backseat—such a beautiful, smart, God-fearing young woman—and I remembered how Monty and I used to babysit her, driving around with her in the backseat, singing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” endlessly. I heard my parents, laughing and singing together. Looking at those faces and hearing those voices, I had an overflow moment—a moment when I could actually feel my cup of blessings overflowing, as it says in Psalm 23:5.
And I thought, Thank You. Thank You, God. For taking my wasted life and redeeming even its most damaged parts—for replacing the darkness in my soul with light that floods in through its broken places. Thank you for showering me with so many blessings that my cup overflows. And thank You for teaching me how to live in that overflow—to look up, be grateful, and let my soul soak up every bit of Your light and Your love. You are so good, and I am so grateful. With every fiber of my being, I am grateful.
Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving as you look up and praise the One who showers blessings upon you.
For Mom and Dad: so much of the overflow in my life is because of you.
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Thank you Renee as you challenged me to make my own Grateful lines.
G Gracious Father who lifts me up
R Revealing His love to me
A Always available if I let Him be
T Totally faithful as I live
E Eternal lover who never fails
F Forever burning the brightest flame
U Under His wings tenderness revealed
L Lovingly calling us to be His.
Oh, Klara–just beautiful–and I can feel so much of your testimony behind these moving words. A tender and loving, faithful Father–you make me want to know Him more and more. Thank you for sharing this.
Renee,
I want to take a moment to let you know how thankful I am that you are sharing your beautiful writing talent with the world. I enjoy your writing so much, and am so blessed when share your heart. You truly have a gift, thank you for sharing it.
Thank you so much, Vickie, for the blessing of your words to me this morning. They mean so much. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
I’m thankful for you, Renee. You are a gift from God!
Well, what a lovely way to start my Thanksgiving. Thank you so much, Lora. Hugs and love to you–praying that you have a most wonderful Thanksgiving.