Just as birthdays and anniversaries come and go, I never forget July 10. It’s the day my life came to a screeching halt.

I’d had back pain before, but never quite like this. My husband was out of town – my youngest daughter (13 then) was the only one home with me.

I called our friends Rick & Melanie late at night to take me to the ER.

Unlike previous pain problems, this time I did not recover.

Last year, I wrote about hope. This year, I want to talk about GRATITUDE.

Last Years July 10 Post – ABOUT HOPE

Philippians is my favorite book from the Bible. Paul was imprisoned and facing death. And yet the letter he wrote to the church of Philippi was filled with joy. (This is from where the name of my website comes)

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9

The word “thanksgiving” here is from the word “eucharistia”. Strongs concordance defines it as: gratitude; actively, grateful language.

Actively grateful. Gratitude isn’t passive. True gratitude involves action of some sort. In the case of Phil 4:6, it’s through language to God – through prayer.

Gratitude also changes our bodies. When we pray before meals, our digestive enzymes activate to better digest our food.

It’s easy for me to feel weighed down with pity when I dwell on this last decade. I so miss living a normal life.

But gratitude is what really keeps hope and joy alive. Gratitude calms my heart and my mind. Gratitude reminds me that something has gone right…that someone cares…that I’m not alone.

I can’t be thankful and have bitterness at the same time. I can’t be grateful and resentful at the same time.

So as I look back on this last decade, I see all the problems, the pain, the despair. But more importantly, I see my family walking beside me, holding me up and helping me forward. And I’m grateful for their love, their strength and their companionship.

I’m thankful for friends who would come in the middle of the night to take me to the ER.

I’m thankful for a God who loves me unconditionally, even on days when I’m struggling to be thankful.