Psalm 86:15: But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abundant in faithful love and truth

I Chronicles 29:13: Now, our God, we give You thanks, and praise Your glorious name.

(Holman Christian Standard)

As I am sitting here this morning with my cup coffee, I am giving thanks.  It isn’t Thanksgiving Day, but it is a day of thanksgiving for me because I just celebrated another wedding anniversary with my husband.  A joyous occasion any time but especially joyous for me this year.  My husband went into the hospital a few weeks ago with racing heartbeats and chest pains.  That’s alarming anytime, but his father died of a massive heart attack at a younger age than my husband is now.  As I sat beside his bed in the emergency room and later in his hospital room, I never doubted for a minute that You were there with us.  I was thinking random phrase prayers; my prayers weren’t organized enough to even be labeled as sentence prayers, but You heard not only my words but my feelings and concerns. You provided me with dear friends who gave up their “date night” to sit in the waiting room just to be close by if and when we needed them.  You and I both know how easily I cry and You knew that I didn’t want my husband to see me cry, so You sent hospital personnel in at various times and gave me opportunities to “let it out” without my husband having to witness my distress.  I know that I was being selfish.  I know my husband knows You, walks with You, and calls You “friend”.  I know that less than a second after leaving me, he would be with You.  I know that You have a mansion waiting for him where his heart is strong and his body won’t hurt.  I know that this is his temporary home, and, when the time comes, You will call him to move into that mansion.  Lord, I know all of that, but I’m just not ready to stay here without him.  Thank You, Lord that You allowed him to come home with me instead of going home with You. Psalm 86:15 begins by saying that You are merciful and gracious.  Thank You, Lord for being merciful and gracious to me.  Thank You, Lord for giving me more time with this man that I love so much.  I Chronicles 29:13 says “Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”  Thank You, Lord.