From The Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin
I realize that we celebrated Thanksgiving last weekend here in Canada, but since gratitude is an attribute that fits well all the time, and not just at our annual celebration, I thought I would share a great story.
I read this past week about a woman who had a near death experience a few years ago at the age of 39.
She was clinically dead for 24 minutes before reviving and returning to life back here on earth.
However, according to Lauren Canaday, her experience on February 7, 2023, left here feeling like she received a second life.
Grand mal seizures led to cardiac arrest in her home.
Her husband gave her CPR while medics arrived and revived her with 4 shocks from a defibrillator.
Canaday notes benefits in her life that have come from this second chance at life.
Although not able to identify specific details of what she experienced during the time of her seizure, she does acknowledge finding joy in the small things of life in the aftermath.
She related having great joy in things like taking a shower and eating a hospital cheeseburger.
I believe Lauren Canaday’s experience can be something to motivate all of us to be intentional about living a life of gratitude.
The Bible records this profound truth in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I once visited a lady from my church who was in the hospital receiving cancer treatments.
On this particular occasion she described for me, in great detail, the robust taste and enjoyment she received from a tangerine that was on her breakfast tray that morning.
You would have thought it had just been freshly picked from the Garden of Eden!
That, my friend, is gratitude!
