Being thankful

Today, we are so very thankful for Jesus, His life and His incredible sacrifice.  We are so very thankful for our eternal life that He gives us.  We are so very thankful that death is not the end - Jesus has conquered the grave.  We are so very thankful that Carter is alive and living with Jesus.  We are so very thankful for God's precious gifts to us - our children.  We are so thankful for nine years with Carter.  We are so thankful for all that Carter has taught us about Heaven and Jesus.  We are so thankful for how he loved Jesus while on this earth.  We are so thankful for our surviving son.  We are so thankful that he remembers his brother and the memories that they shared.  We are so thankful that he loves Jesus and will often imagine his brother in Heaven with Jesus.  We are so thankful to not go a day without talking about Carter. 

Today we spent time in the cemetery visiting baby Jacob.  We paused quietly and remembered his short life with us.  We reflected on the death of Jacob and how it drew us closer to God. We reflected on nine years of Carter's life and his death; and how we fell flat on our faces, fully humbled before the Lord. And now, our comfort and security come from God alone.  We are thankful for God's protection over our surviving son, who lifts us up, makes us strong and keeps us going, even on the hard days.  We are thankful for the family and friends, who never left our side. We are thankful for their patience and support over the last few years. We are thankful for all who continue to remember Carter on the special days with us.

We deserve nothing.  God owes us nothing. Yet He gives us everything. Everything we have are gifts from our gracious God.  We are and will always be thankful.