By Jo Wilmer
Here we are again. The plans are in place and we anticipate gathering with friends and family. Or maybe we feel led to do for others who may be less fortunate than ourselves this year by serving at a free Thanksgiving gathering. Whatever our plans may be, the focus on this day is thankfulness.
As we gather around the dinner table, bow our heads in prayer, the list of those things we are thankful for roll off our tongue with ease. Yes, we find it easy to thank Him for our food, home and family. Yet this word “thankful” really means that we give thanks to God for everything that we receive at His hand.
So before we bow our heads in prayer this Thanksgiving, can we really say that we are thankful? I hope that after you finish reading this you may choose to answer, yes. You see, often we are thankful for the good things that have come our way over the past year. But can we include those things which have crossed our path that have brought us heartache and tears?
Imagine you are entering the grocery store, and you see an elderly woman leaning on her cart. This cart is filled with everything but groceries. From her appearance it is obvious that she has fallen upon hard times. With a desire to be friendly, you comment, “Hello, may you have a good day.” She smiles and replies, “Thank you, but I never have a bad day.” Well that was not what you expected to hear.
So again you respond by saying, “What a blessing!” She surprises you with her response. “Oh, I am always blessed. When I have food to eat, I thank God. When I am hungry, I thank God. When I am warm, I thank God. When I am cold, I thank God. You see, whatever is His will for me makes me happy and blessed. I thank God that I am never unhappy.”
This scene should prick us within and urge us to search our own hearts. In order for us to be genuinely thankful we must first be content. We must find contentment whether we have sunshine or rain in our life. This often is hard for any of us to accomplish; what we must come to see is that happiness really is a choice. Trusting in Him, knowing He is in control, we find true contentment and thankfulness.
So before we gather around the Thanksgiving table this year, may we come to Him in humble prayer and thank Him for giving us the spiritual strength to continue this road of life He has set before us.
For in all times He will never leave us or forsake us. Have very blessed & thankful Thanksgiving Day!
…and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, or forsake thee. ~ Hebrews 13:5
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
About the author:
I have been writing for myself and journaling for over 5 years. As a sinner saved by grace, I have experienced divorce, drugs, and the horror that abortion brings into our life. My heart’s true desire is to comfort another soul along the way, and tell them of the saving grace through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray that each day, the Lord will place on my path that ”someone” He desires me to reach out to and speaks to my heart with words especially for her!