November ushers in a special time of year. The days become shorter. The shadows become longer. The mercury on the thermometer slowly begins its decent, giving way to pleasant days that are neither too hot nor too cold. November also brings with it a time of reflection. It is a time to thank God for both the blessings He has bestowed and the challenges that He has seen us through.
Recently, as the ladies of the maternity home gathered around the dinner table, the Resident Manager led them in a devotion that centered on being thankful. One by one, the residents shared how thankful they were that God had intervened in their lives. One shared that she thanked Him for the beautiful twin babies that had been born while living in the home. Another shared that she was thankful that He had brought a mentor into her life who truly cared about her and her baby. Still another, when asked what she was thankful for simply responded, “God. I am thankful that I have God in my life.”
As we look back on the year, we thank God for the opportunity to be part of the lives of the ladies and the babies that have called the Redeeming Life “home”. We thank Him for the sustaining Grace and Mercy He has shown the moms as they walk through their pregnancies and births.
We thank God for the opportunity to work with the leadership of the LCMS Northern Illinois District in a maternity home expansion into the Chicagoland area. We thank Him that through this expansion we will be able to help offer the same Christian alternative to abortion that we have offered here in Central Florida for the past 8 years.
And finally, we thank God for those who have sacrificially stood by us through the long days of 2020. We thank Him for the love, prayers and support of the friends and family of this ministry.
So this year as you sit down at your Thanksgiving table, before you partake of the feast before you, we ask you to join us in thanking God for who He Is, the blessings He has bestowed, the challenges He has seen us through, and most of all, for sending His Only Son Jesus to die for us that we might live.
May God bless you and keep you in His care during this season of Thanksgiving!