By Nancy Virden (c)2025

She stretched her legs and groaned. What a long weekend it had been – working overtime, preparing for a relative’s visit, and then the eight-hour drive.

She was a little sad because a significant person in her life was struggling in a nursing facility, far from his younger, more productive self. There were relatives she would not see these holiday weeks due to the distance of both miles and hearts. Sighing, she wondered if anything would ever be as happy as other people seemed.

Then she remembered to count her blessings. It was Thanksgiving, after all. As she reviewed her week’s memories, she found numerous positive elements for which to be grateful.

• Her weekend had been productive in important ways.
• She has a job.
• She has two relatives who are excited to see her.
• Her car did not break down, and the weather was cooperative as she drove.
• The person in the nursing home kissed her hand and thanked her for coming.
• There were family members she could contact via email or phone.
• She has friends and a nice living space to relax.
• She was warm, had plenty to eat and drink, and could sleep on a comfortable bed.
• Challenges, which had been severe of late, could be addressed; she could learn.

By the time she arrived at this point in the list, she knew she could not grumble. Not today. And perhaps it would never be necessary to be dissatisfied if she would only remember all that she has not lost.

God bless you all,

Happy Thanksgiving week!

Nancy

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

If you are feeling suicidal or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S., call 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. For a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room; in the EU, call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here.) Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. 

NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional and speaks only from personal experience and observations. This website is not intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

_{HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, COPYRIGHT © 1996, 2004, 2015 BY TYNDALE HOUSE FOUNDATION. USED BY PERMISSION OF TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS, INC., CAROL STREAM, ILLINOIS 60188, PER BIBLE GATEWAY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://WWW.BIBLEGATEWAY.COM/}