Day 16
New to the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion? Start with Day 1!
Take time to be thankful. Read a short devotion and a selected Bible verse each day.
It’s Day 16 of the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion.
DEVOTION
On October 19th, 2009, my dad suffered an "AAA": Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Statistically, 97% of those who experience an AAA don’t make it to the hospital on time. Of the remaining three percent, half of those patients don’t make it. We arrived at the hospital to say our "goodbyes" to him. My only concern was: where would my father spend eternity?
We never read the Bible together whilst growing up. We never prayed together as a family – unless there was a medical or financial emergency. And most of those times, we were told to pray by ourselves. Maybe that’s why I went to the cafeteria by myself to pray to my heavenly Father, regarding my earthly father. "Please Father," I cried. "I cannot let go of Dad unless I know that he will be with You when he leaves this earth."
"Hello, can I help you, dear?" The chaplain’s soft voice broke my contemplation. I told her about my father’s situation. "Oh, I know him," she answered. "Such a nice man! He was here a few months ago. He prayed the sinner’s prayer." Thankful for the news, I embraced her.
Miraculously, he survived the AAA, and lived another seven years. In that time, we talked about God on a regular basis. He spoke about being content whether he lived twenty more years, or just twenty minutes more. And, one of the best days of my life was the day I prayed for the first time to our heavenly Father with my earthly father.
"For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to about to the glory of God. Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
VERSE
2 Corinthians 4:15-16 (ESV: English Standard Version)
Don't have your Bible handy? Click here to read online.
AUTHOR
Rebecca Jones
Rebecca Jones is a writer and cake decorating enthusiast who lives in Seaford, Delaware with her husband Tim, and her youngest son -- a musically gifted young man named Samuel. She is equally proud of her birds who have flown from the nest: Glenn, Daniel, and Rachel, and loves her role as mother-in-law to Taylor and Conner. She is owned by her three beautiful kitties -- Shiloh, Fritzie, and Baby -- and plays frisbee practically every day with her playmate: a dog named "Ringo."
Rebecca makes her spiritual home at Abundant Life Church, Donovan's Road, Georgetown, where she helps in whichever capacity she is able and available.
Rebecca writes for Morningstar Publications as a freelance newswriter. She also has been a freelance writer for web companies and organizations. In addition, she enjoys voice-over work, as well as oral storytelling.
Rebecca has had work published in trade magazines, as well as the former "Christian Woman" magazine. "Chicken Soup for the Soul" has published stories in two of their books. She has had short stories published in five different published books.
She is currently working on personal writing projects which include two plays, a book, a memoir, and a children's book or two. Rebecca can be reached at rebecca.jones.storyteller@gmail.com.
