This post is about Thankfulness.

Three weeks ago, our family suffered a miscarriage.

I am still sifting through my thoughts and feelings about what has happened to us. I don’t yet have the words to explain it all. What I do know is that I have a profound sense of thankfulness and a desire to express my love and gratitude to everyone who has cared for us over these last three weeks. It is hard to believe but, even in the midst of incredible sadness and loss, we have much to be thankful for.

I’m thankful that I have a God who is good and does good. The day before the miscarriage I read an article about Pastor Matt Chandler and the 1 year anniversary of his battle with a brain tumor. The picture that accompanied the article showed Matt surrounded in prayer. His head is bowed- his bald and scarred head– and his hands raised. The author asked him how theology sustained him through the suffering of the past year. He answered:

“There were at least 3 meetings with my doctors early on where I felt like I got punched in the soul. In those moments when I was discombobulated and things felt like they were spinning out of control, my theology and the Spirit were there to remind me that “He is good and He does good”—to remind me that God has a plan for His glory and my joy that He is working.“

I am thankful that, even in the midst of questions, loss, and pain, ultimately God is good and does good. That perspective has been my rock over the last few weeks.

I am thankful for our Family. Our immediate family members have been supportive and loving throughout this whole ordeal. I am thankful for their love and care.

I am thankful for our Church Family. One of the axioms that we live by is that we do “life” with our church family. We want to celebrate with them and we need to mourn with them. When we went to the emergency room, our church family took care of our son for the day. While we waited to hear from the doctor, we were surrounded in prayer by many people. Phone calls and text messages flooded my phone throughout the day and didn’t stop 24 hrs after. People engaged us and cared for us. And food… oh was there food. We have seen the blessing of “Doing Life” with our congregation. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

I am thankful for my wife. The strongest, most beautiful woman in the world somehow agreed to marry me. We will celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary in August 2011 and I am very thankful that God saw fit to bless me with this woman.