I’ve heard it said that gratitude is the heart’s memory.
There are many reasons why Anne Graham Lotz ministers to many . . . one of the significant reasons she consistently encourages me is the depth of her heart’s memory and her ever present spirit of gratitude:
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I look forward to the whole family – all who can join us – celebrating Thanksgiving together. I enjoy the abundant, delicious feast – turkey with dressing and gravy, ham, green beans, corn pudding, sweet potato casseroles, pies with real whipped cream, sweet iced tea. My mouth waters just thinking about it!
But the highlight of our Thanksgiving is the fellowship around the dining room table as each one shares what he or she is most thankful for. As precious as those moments are, I am convinced that our gratitude to God is not meant to be measured out once a year around a dining room table. It is to be translated into genuine “thanksliving”.
Indeed, Anne and the AnGeL team invite others to join them in reflecting on God’s goodness throughout this past year noting that “as always, the assignments God has given us have been incredibly varied, challenging, and fruitful.”
Amidst how the Lord has ministered to so many in 2018 through the outreach of Anne’s resources, speaking and radio broadcasts, Anne is now also ministering to many through her cancer journey — giving thanks through it all:
I have been reminded of this in a very fresh, personal way as a result of hair loss due to chemotherapy. When my hair began to fall out in large amounts, I went to my beloved Christian brother and hairstylist extraordinaire, Doug David, owner of The Douglas Carroll Salon. Looking on were his wife, my daughters, and two of my granddaughters who helped to turn a dreaded event into something that was actually fun. Under their watchful eyes and with their affirming comments, he shaved my head. For those of you who have been through this, you know that it is also a humiliating trauma. I was almost shocked to hear the familiar sound of my own voice coming from the face under the shorn head I saw reflected in the salon mirror! My immediate reaction was to quote God’s words…that God looks on the heart, not the outward appearance. I am so thankful!
Reflecting on 2018, Anne recently shared,
From India to my Father’s funeral to Jerusalem to the UNC Breast Cancer Center, your prayers, letters, cards, gifts, emails, texts, social media postings . . . have carried us through 2018, not just somehow, but triumphantly! You fill our hearts with thanksgiving! For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
Thank you for continued prayers for Anne as she has just completed her second round of chemo therapy – you may follow her journey via her blog.
If you aren’t currently sharing Anne’s daily and weekly radio messages of encouragement and thankfulness with your listeners, contact me, Lee Ann, for details to do so!
