Like many Americans, I have been thinking a lot about gratitude and Thanksgiving lately. I figured I should get a post in before the holiday... just managed to squeeze it in before it was too late!
According to Wikipedia, Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Traditionally, Thanksgiving is associated with giving thanks to God for the harvest and expressing gratitude. While historically religious in origin, Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday.
I am glad that the entire nation is given the opportunity to reflect on the good things in life with a few days off, I believe that it is important to intentionally be grateful and give thanks. Often we can get caught up in our issues, anxieties and concerns and do not take the time to review what is going well, to look at what gives us hope or make us happy. It may be naive of me, but I think that there are things in every person's life at any given moment that they can be thankful for. Based on my own experience of walking through some very very dark times, I can say that this is true for me. I have noticed as my faith and trust in God has increased is that I am able to see the good things in life much more clearly. I have to admit, I have no idea how I managed to make it through life without Jesus! I was a mess with no vision of hope or salvation. (Granted, it was there, I just couldn't see it through the dark lenses I was viewing my life through)
Right now I am grateful for the following things:
Jesus
God
my salvation
my faith
the fact that God has a plan for me, that he loves me, keeps me safe and I have value in his eyes
my husband who loves me and is willing to grow and learn with me
my church
my dogs
my cat
my wonderful and supportive friends who love me no matter how much I cry on them
my health
my bike
my snowshoes
my xc skis
my waders and fishing rod
my ability to use the equipment above
my ability to forgive and the fact that I do not hold grudges
my Steven Ministry class and the Steven Ministry program at my church
Nancy Ferguson and Fresh Start Jail Ministry
Alcoholics Anonymous, my sobriety and that I have lived to see the end of 2009
my home
my creative abilities
The first five are key to my happiness. I do not need to know everything and I do not need to be in control of life. I just need to have a little bit of faith as that small amount will open the door for much much more. Jesus helps me in my lack of faith; he reminds me that God has my back, that God knows what is best for me and is in complete control.
Blessings to you and all of yours this wonderful Thanksgiving Season!
Comments
Post has no comments.