A few years ago, I saved an article titled:  one question to help you snap out of any funk. The question was ‘How is this good?’ Over the years, to help me change the way I look at a situation, I’ve asked myself that question often. This grief is not a funk I can just snap out of, but it is helpful to remind myself of all I have to be thankful for.

I’m thankful that I am witness to The Body in action. Our church family has used their time, talents and possessions to bless us in ways that we can never repay. You brought meals, chopped wood or just sat with me. Cleaned, painted, built and repaired things at our house. You show up for us so that we never have to do it alone and I am so thankful for that. 

I’m thankful for new friendships and for the growth of existing ones.  Thankful for every text, phone call and email to let us know you’re praying. Thankful for all of your prayers and that we know a God who hears them.

I’m thankful that Jake got 13 years with Dave as his example of fatherhood.

I’m thankful that I got 23 years with a man who cared about my heart so much that he never stopped pursuing it. Even when I was as challenging as possible to love.  I’m thankful for the things that God revealed to me in the past year and a half about myself that helped it make sense. And I’m thankful that I got two months to say all that needed to be said before I had to say goodbye.

I’m thankful that Dave’s parents have moved here and that I have the kind of relationship with them now that God probably intended all along, but I was just too stubborn to welcome it.

I’m thankful that so many of you have Dave stories and I’m grateful every time I hear one. I’m thankful for gatherings in our garage and the men who continue to show up for Jake. It is good for my heart as well.

I won’t know the impact that Dave’s life and death has had on the Kingdom until I join him in Heaven, but I hope God will continue to give me glimpses of it here. God is good and his will is perfect, even when I don’t understand it. And I can be thankful for that.