Thanksgiving Day is upon us here in the US. Despite any setbacks that occurred over the past year, are you still thankful for the good things in your life? I hope so, and I want to give you some encouragement.
Even if you’re going through a mess right now, it is appropriate to pause and express thankfulness. Why? Because gratitude expresses faith, and being grateful even in the midst of life’s many storms expresses a strong hope and faith that you—and those around you—really need right now.
Can I remind us both of something, dear friend? Life isn’t just about us. What happens to us isn’t just about us. What we think and do are not just about us either.
Whether you realize it or not, you are surrounded by people who are affected by the energy of your belief, hope, and faith. We need you. When we see you overcoming the pain of your battles, when we see your character being tested and your attitude staying positive, when we see you being grateful for blessings both big and small while you are in the fight (being still thankful), your hope, your faith, your love, and your strength also keep all of us motivated, fighting, and winning. We need you.
If you are having a difficult time finding something to be thankful for right now, it is only because you are searching in the wrong place. If you’re looking to your circumstances, your environment, to people, success, or to your past, your thankfulness will be based on an unpredictable, ever-changing, and unreliable foundation. The object of your gratitude must be trustworthy, constant, and solid.
In the classic A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Linus got this right when Charlie Brown’s friends all came over for a Thanksgiving “dinner” and it came time for someone to pray. You can watch a clip of it here, but this is what Linus said:
“In the year 1621, the Pilgrims held their first Thanksgiving feast. They invited the great Indian chief Massasoit, who brought ninety of his brave Indians and a great abundance of food. Governor William Bradford and Captain Miles Standish were honored guests. Elder William Brewster, who was a minister, said a prayer that went something like this: ‘We thank God for our homes and our food and our safety in a new land. We thank God for the opportunity to create a new world for freedom and justice.”
The Pilgrims of 1621 understood that the basics of life come from God—home, food, and safety. They also recognized that He gives people opportunities to create and to do good. The object of their gratitude was a faithful God of provision and caring.
So start there, my sweet friend. Step away from the fight; step out of the storm; quiet your ruminating mind and rampant emotions. Capture a few moments, and keep them for yourself. Then, during that precious time, acknowledge that through it all, God has indeed kept you going, has not forgotten you, and has actually been dropping blessing upon blessing at your feet…even through your most difficult trials. Thank Him for that. Be “still thankful.”
I hope you all have a very happy, and blessed, Thanksgiving Day.
(Full disclosure: Much of the above is a re-post from two years ago. I’m not being lazy; I just really liked the message and thought some of my newer Edenite followers might appreciate the encouragement.)
PLANET OF PERDITION UPDATE
I am making huge progress with writing the next book in my “Planet” trilogy! PLANET OF PERDITION is starting strong, and I am very happy with where it is already headed. As with Eden, the story is practically writing itself–like it has a mind of its own. Oh, the surprises you have in store for you, dear readers!
As a final word, please consider getting a copy of PLANET OF EDEN as a Christmas gift for a friend or family member! Even if they are not necessarily a “big reader,” I guarantee this book will grab them and pull them in to the story. Do you belong to, or know of, a local book club? Recommend Eden to them! The Holidays are a great time to get people reading.
Thanks, as always, dear friends for your support and encouragement. I am still thankful for each and every one of you! Stay awesome!
