By Donna Spafford King // Decorating, Lifestyle
www.cindyshomedecor.com
Most days, you’ll find me smiling, upbeat and ready to take on the world. Yes, I’m one of those people who sees the glass half full and focuses on the possibilities, not the limitations. Yet, there was a time in my life–1997 to be exact–when worry and fear brought me to my knees as never before.
That was when our precious daughter Jillian was born with a series of life-threatening health complications that cropped up one after another. To say that the first nine months following her birth were tough doesn’t even describe it. We had moved to a new city, friends were scarce and the days without doctor appointments were few. As time ticked by, the seriousness of the situation began to take its toll and instead of embracing the joy of having a new baby, I found myself wallowing in the sadness of her ongoing precarious health.
The turning point came, surprisingly enough, the day the doctor said, “The hope door is closed.” I went home, ate a sleeve of Girl Scout cookies and thought, “No, it’s not. You can’t take hope from me.” Perhaps because Thanksgiving Day was near, but I suddenly became determined to find something to be thankful for to help keep hope alive in my heart. I found a bare branch in the yard, brought it inside and placed it in a small urn on the table. Each day, I’d write something to be grateful for on a small piece of paper, then tie it to the branch with a string. I started with really basic things like, “Today, the electricity bill came in and it’s $50 less than anticipated, Jillian lifted her head and Madison fell asleep holding Jillian’s hand.” The rest of my family started adding notes and, right before our eyes, we “grew” our very own gratitude tree.
Of course, what had really happened was that God used one of his creations–a simple tree branch–to remind us that He is in control no matter what and that if we reach out in faith, powerful things can happen. So we did. We began a walk of faith, with our gratitude tree by our side, that would last over a decade during which saw what happens when the hand of God is on a sick child. The “No Hope” doctor’s predictions gave way to warnings that Jillian might live to the age of five. Jillian’s fifth birthday came and went. More birthdays followed–happy days indeed–although they were tempered by continuing health struggles. Yet, this child kept fighting to live even though she was, frankly, at death’s doorstep (and in/out of hospitals three to four times a year) until the age of 11.
Today’s picture is so different. Jillian’s now 14 and healthier than we every dared hope. She’s even a Special Olympics champion! She and Madison, her older sister, are the joys of my life. Each Thanksgiving, we set up our Gratitude tree (using the original branch!) and fill it with messages old and new. As we re-read the messages from years past, we are reminded that God is in control no matter what and are humbled by how magnificently He can work through something as nondescript as a little branch.
Celebrating Home's Gratitude Tree
That’s the story behind Celebrating Home’s Gratitude Tree. We offer it to you as a way for you, your friends and family to reflect on life’s daily blessings, not just on Thanksgiving but every day of the year.
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