Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Thankful Thursday - Small Graces

Thankful Thursday at Truth 4 the Journey



My Thankful Thursday this week is not going to be in traditional list form. I hope that Sonya at Truth for the Journey will let me slide! I'm pretty sure I'll get at least five things..

Today, I'm especially grateful for small graces. I know that I am a daughter of the King of Kings and that God loves me but occasionally, especially when I'm hurting, I need to be reminded.

I am grateful that Tatyana's heart cath went well. She was feeling a teeny bit better and ate a bit of dinner tonight. I am grateful that God gave me the opportunity to be there and sit with Chantelle this morning. While I was there, JT, Tatyana's dad, bought me a Pepsi. He didn't have to and it was a small thing for which I am grateful.

At the hospital, I had the opportunity to check-in and visit with the nurses and other staff whom we met while on Seth's journey. I'm always blessed by the hugs and warm smiles we get when up on the floor. It's a small grace that often feels larger!

Upon leaving the hospital today, I had no money for parking and the ATM was broken. I was given some parking validation stickers but the parking attendant said they were not valid. In the middle of explaining our situation to the parking attendant, rummaging through my purse, I DID find $5 and the parking attendant just waved me through anyway. (Yes, I told her I'd found the money to pay). It was a small grace.

I took the kids up to our local library this evening. I spent 45 minutes looking for our library cards before I gave up and decided we'd ask for replacements. The librarian was concerned that if they were JUST misplaced, we would waste the $2 replacement fee (per card). I told her that I was sure they WERE just misplaced. (I changed out wallets shortly after Seth went to Heaven and can't find the old one right now). But, I said, we lost a child in October and there's a good chance I'll never find them among the piles of stuff. I did NOT tell her for sympathy. It's just the truth of our situation. She waived the fees. Another small grace.

And finally, there's this:



Someone left a balloon at Seth's marker on Memorial Day. It wasn't us. I just tonight found out who it was. Remember Mary and baby N? The baby they lost is at the same cemetery as Seth and her family left the balloon.. A small grace. "Mary" sent me a note tonight, letting me know it was them, and saying that their family grieves with us. I know that to be true and I'm VERY grateful for her presence in my life.

And I think now is a good time to share. "Baby N"? The N stands for Nehemiah which means God's comfort. I am SO thankful for God's COMFORT!

12 comments:

Skoots1moM said...

my great niece is a CHD patient...her next surgery is in july and she recently had her caths done.
i posted a new video of her yesterday.
blessings for a good thurday...
you are blessed!

Beth Herring said...

Oh, I love this. I am so thankful for the small graces too. Isn't it just the best to know that we are daughters of the KING?


Oh, I love your site and I will be back!

Beth

Evil Twin's Wife said...

Your small graces brought tears to my eyes. You are blessed.

Lauren said...

I love that: small graces.

Danae Hudson said...

Beautiful. What more can be said?

Anonymous said...

Thank you so very much for visiting my blog. Your TT is very heartfelt and I will return.

Anonymous said...

Amazing - I'm so happy you found comfort from your surprise: small grace, indeed. Bless you.

Journaling Gina said...

I teared up as I read your blog today, remembering all the times HIS grace is sufficient for me. Thanks for writing so transparently. It's refreshing.

-and thanks for stopping by my blog too!

Gina

Linda C said...

It's amazing how these small graces can lift our day and our outlook. What a wonderful Father we have- so much mercy given each day:)

Thanks for your "list" and thanks for lifting our hearts too:)

Glad you came by my place for a visit- come by anytime!

Happy TT!

Linda C

Skoots1moM said...

thanks for coming by...
i'm not sure is katie's condition is called hlhs...but she basically doesn't have a right ventricle...she thrived after several weeks in the hospital following the glenn. but, she's had major issues with cdiff...is still on a feeding tube and has only recently started eating anything by mouth (baby peas, sliced cheese sometimes, and she loves to lick pretzels!)
thanks for your prayers. we're very hopeful and praying a lot for the upcoming procedure
:)

Lisa said...

LOVE your list. Small graces is something to be pondered in my own life. Thanks for sharing from your heart!
Blessings ~ Lisa

B His Girl said...

God's grace made a way for you all day. Kathryn, I read about Seth. How beautiful for a friend to leave a balloon on his marker. I love the name of your blog. The Lord will surpass your expectations so expect a lot. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Blessings to your family. B