Thanking God every day

“When we succeed in truly thanking God, we feel good at heart. The

reason is that we have been created to give glory to God, now and

forevermore. And every time we do so, we feel that we are in harmony

with His plans and purpose for our lives. Then we are truly in our

element. That is why it is so blessed.”

-- O. Hallesby

I was so excited that I could hardly sleep. I could still eat,

though, and I ate plenty. The lack of the first and the abundance of

the second will catch up with me, but I’ll deal with that later.

“There’s no way you can eat all that,” one cousin said with a look

of disbelief. Maybe he was hoping for leftovers.

“Just watch me,” I answered with a smile. I repeatedly polished

off anything and everything I was offered or served.

Maybe it was the crisp, clean air that gave me such an appetite

for family, friends, food and for God. Or perhaps, it was the fact

that I felt like I was 6 years old again.

For three days last week, I laughed heartily and cried deeply. For

the second time in two months, I joined family on a quick trip back

to Wisconsin. Though a native Californian, I spent five very

memorable childhood years living in La Crosse, Wis. God allowed me to

revisit special people and places there, and for that, I am very

grateful.

During those years, I loved being surrounded by a large extended

family, I loved my childhood buddies and I loved the changing

seasons. We freely enjoyed each other’s homes, played in basements

and tried to help each other take our big dogs on walks.

There were more highlights than I can name. A favorite one was

visiting my Aunt Betty, my father’s older sister. Her heart was even

bigger than her house, and she generously shared her time and

anything else anyone needed. I think I ate more homemade chocolate

chip cookies at Aunt Betty’s house than there are stars in the sky.

A favorite picture in my mind, and in a photograph somewhere, is

the two of us sitting on a long dock at a cottage in Northern

Wisconsin. We dangled our toes in the water and talked about life,

fish, art and cookies. Aunt Betty loved God, she loved me and, as I

recall, she loved everybody else.

I adored my aunt and felt that she adored me. Two months ago, my

parents and I flew back to Wisconsin because we heard Aunt Betty was

near death. We were happily surprised to visit with a mostly chipper

and still wonderful woman. We thanked God for the gift of that

priceless time.

Last week, my parents, sister and I flew back again, but this time

it was with bittersweet sadness to attend Aunt Betty’s funeral. It

was with deep joy that we celebrated her life. We reconnected with

many dear people, and I picked up exactly where I’d left off four

decades ago with two very special friends.

When I think of how much I have to thank God for, I am

overwhelmed.

Thursday is Thanksgiving, a day to thank God for sure. But I want

to thank him every day, and many times a day at that.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.