Thankful Thursday

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I have shared here many times how thankful I am for my family. The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful husband and terrific children. While I have expressed this same thanksgiving many times, I must express it again this week.

You see, I have been reminded me in a very real way how very fortuanate I am to have these three terrific people. And, not just that they have been a part of my life, but they are still with me in a physical sense.
Late Monday afternoon one of my co-workers received the type of call none of us ever wants to get. He works out of our California office and lives there with his family. On this afternoon his wife and two daughters, along other extended family members, had gone to the beach for the afternoon. As his youngest daughter was wading in very shallow waters, she was swept away in a riptide. His wife immediately went in to rescue her. Both were swept further out and did not live.

In the blink of an eye he lost both his wife and his youngest daughter. I cannot even begin to express to you my heartbreak for him and his surviving daughter. As I have prayed for them both this week, I have also realized once again how very fortunate I am to have my family close by my side each day.

As we go into a fun-filled holiday weekend, I plan to hold each member of my family a little closer, love them a little harder, and make sure each of them knows how dear they are to me. At the same time, I'll be praying many prayers of thankfulness for the gift God has given me.

To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage".



15 Thoughts Shared:

Pia said...

family is a precious gift from God. what happened to your co-worker is really heart breaking.

Lord, i pray that you'd envelop him and his living daughter with your comfort and peace.

Sweet Blessings said...

Yes, things can change in an instant. That has to be so hard. I am so very thankful for my family as well. Thank you for sharing. Blessings! Amanda

Rita T. said...

Humble reminders of how fragile life is and how much we depend upon our God. Thanks for the post.

Grammy said...

Big hug. My prayers are with them and you. We can only imagine how he feels. That is so sad. I to am grateful for my family.
Be blessed my friend.

Chris said...

happy thursday!

Denise said...

May God bless that dear man, how sad.

Joyfull said...

Our prayers are with your co worker. What a tragedy. That surely brings a desire to hold our families close and be so thankful for them.

Jerralea said...

Thanks for the reminder how instantly life can change! Please express thankfulness for your family as often as you feel led! I will do the same.

I am praying for your co-worker's family right now.

Angela said...

Oh my..I could just cry reading what happened to your co worker. I am praying for him and his family right now...Thank you letting us know about this so we can stand in the gap for this father and husband.

bp said...

Thanks for sharing this reminder to hold tightly to and cherish our loved ones. I'll say a prayer for your coworker.

LisaShaw said...

I'm weeping for that man and his family!!! I pray for God's peace and comfort for them in the name of Jesus.

You are so right Melanie that anything can change and suddenly which is why knowing JESUS intimately and loving our family closely is so important. Treating every moment as a cherished one is so important. How often we get consumed with "the day" and with "life" and a moment can pass us by...

I did not grow up in a house or family that said I love you. There was no love but with my Grandparents there was great love and they taught me how to love and always told me they loved me. I took that into my family life and not one day passes that we are not telling each other that we love each other and several times per day. I never want to take my hubby or kids or grandkids for granted.

Thank you for the reminder dear sister and let me take the opportunity now to tell you that I love you and your heart for the LORD.

Daisy said...

My prayers for you, your family and everybody around you...

~Daisy
http://inlovewithdaisies.blogspot.com/

Tricia said...

I will be praying for your co-worker... what a horrible tragedy! I cannot imagine having to endure such a tragedy...

I too am thankful for my family and will hold them close and cherish them...

Blessings!

Karen said...

I am so sorry for your friend's loss. I have heard of several sudden deaths of children and young adults just this week. I am thankful for my family, too.

Unknown said...

Oh Melanie,

this just grieves my heart. I found the news article about it. I was just at the beach Thursday. My daughter had to be pulled in because of an unknown drop off.

Girl, this just sent shivers down my back. I will pray for them.

I love you. I love you, my sister. Hugs.