As i was giving thanks one day, i thanked the LORD for my earthly dad. i thanked the LORD for HIS love that was given me through my earthly dad. On December 18, it will be 3 years since he shot himself in the heart. A heart filled with such love! As i sit here, tears swell in my eyes remembering that horrific night and thinking of how the LORD has healed me of the terror that flooded my soul just moments after the shot rang out.  There is never anything too horrific, terrifying, disgusting, filthy, or painful that the LORD cannot heal. HE took what the devil meant for my defeat and turned it into HIS victory through me! Thank YOU JESUS!!! Yet, the questions still remain; the unanswered "why's" may never be answered. But now i know that's okay because i "feel" HIS embrace. i praise the LORD that my earthly dad is in my future; he is already in the presence of the LORD and overwhelmed by HIS love and peace! i praise the LORD for that one night before my dad died; when i asked him if JESUS was the LORD of HIS life. Dad's answer: yes. i praise the LORD for HIS grace and mercy which abounds unto the souls of man!

i thank the LORD for HIS relief of the heavy burden of sorrow from my earthly mom's shoulders. i thank the LORD for healing me of alcoholism. i thank the LORD for healing my husband of alcoholism. i thank the LORD for healing my addiction to cigarettes. i thank the LORD for HIS beautiful daughter HE has given to me. i thank HIM for raising her, holding her, whispering love into her ear, comforting her on dark nights when i was too drunk. Thank YOU LORD for YOUR wisdom in her that is beyond her years! Thank YOU LORD for healing my daughter's broken heart. i thank the LORD for protecting my nieces and nephews and brother-in-law and sister-in-law. i thank the LORD for protecting my brothers and sisters in CHRIST. i thank the LORD for forgiving me of all my sins. But most importantly, i thank the LORD for HIS precious SON WHO died a horrific death upon the cross to give us eternal life in Heaven with HIM someday.

May all who read this experience the grace and mercy of our glorious FATHER. May you know that JESUS will meet you where you are. You do not have to clean yourself up to come to JESUS. Just bring your sorrows, pain, and bitterness to HIM and HE will take all and overwhelm you with HIS peace, love, and joy. In JESUS' MATCHLESS NAME...AMEN!!! = )