thankfulness

Months ago I read the book, 'From Grief to Glory' by James W. Bruce III. He quotes Benjamin Warfield on the topic of self-sacrifice. 'Self-sacrifice brought Christ into the world. And self-sacrifice will lead us, His followers, not away from, but into the midst of men. Wherever men suffer, there will we be to comfort. Wherever men strive, there will we be to help. Wherever men fail, there will we be to uplift. Self-sacrifice means not indifference to our times and our fellows, it means absorption in them. It means forgetfulness of self in others. It means not that we should live one life, but a thousand lives, binding ourselves to a thousand souls by the filaments of so loving a sympathy that their lives become ours. Only when we humbly walk this path, seeking truly in it not our own things, but those of others, we shall find the promise true, that he who loses his life shall find it. Only when, like Christ, and in loving obedience to His call and example, we take no account of ourselves, but freely give ourselves to others, we shall find, each in his measure, the saying true of himself also, 'Wherefore also God hath highly exalted him.' The path of self--sacrifice is the path to glory.'

Our lives have been surrounded by others self-sacrificing of themselves, heroically serving our family. Meals being brought to the house on a weekly basis, girls cleaning my entire house every other week, fellas doing yard work, gift baskets from singles care groups of all our favorite yummies, gift cards out to dinner, countless number of cards from friends and relatives telling us of their love and support for us, anonymous financial gifts given to us at different times, handmade gifts sent (each made with love for little chase), the countless prayers lifted up from so many (I can not count nor comprehend all those that love our boy and are praying for him on a daily basis), mrs jansen taking carson for a full day each month so that I can rest, lisa simmons taking carson each sat am for a few hours to allow me more rest, and then the angel sent from above in the form of jessica somerville, serving our family on a daily basis with carson, household items, errands, my soul, and the countless hours of those who have listened and cared for my soul throughout all this.
We have been the benefactors of these saints and their deep love for the Lord. we have fallen, been in need and have experienced the body of Christ working in amazing ways. how undeserving we truly are. it has been humbling...it has been wonderful..all of this has revealed to me more of the character of God. I have learned so much more about his loving kindness, His nearness his faithfulness. words can not express the gratitude in my heart towards all of those that have served us in some way. I can only say thank you...our family thank's God for each of you.