Give Thanks

My Facebook friends have probably noticed that I am on a personal crusade to preserve the month of  November as a time of giving thanks.  Yes, we should be thankful every day, in everything, but there is something special and unique about a national holiday set aside for the sole purpose of gratitude.

Thanksgiving is particularly meaningful to me this year.  A year ago I was in a very dark place, emotionally and spiritually.  I felt battered, worn out, and abandoned by God.  By His grace, I emerged from that dark place to once again find a place of hope, peace and trust.  A HUGE part of that process was learning to be thankful -- IN all things and FOR all things (I Thessalonians 5:18). 

God used my husband as my tutor in this process.  As I have mentioned in previous posts, Geoff is a man of deep faith.  My first response is to doubt, his is to trust.  My first response is despair, his is hope.  My first response is fear, his is confidence in our God.  Throughout the summer and fall of 2012, when my doubt, despair and fear would overwhelm me, he would simply remind me of the goodness of God and call me to believe.

Over time, I learned to see the good that was happening in our lives.  Our finances had taken a huge blow, but we were still able to pay our bills and feed our family.  Our new house was not the "house of our dreams", but we have grown to love it and it has truly become HOME.  I began to embrace an initially disappointing job, and saw the good in being in the same school as my little boy. Our 11 year old car with a faulty transmission  is still running and meeting our needs.  Our new church has become our spiritual family in Virginia, and has given us a place to serve and be served. Our three children have, for the most part, adapted and settled into their new lives in America. When I chose to be thankful, and see the good, I was overwhelmed by God's provision, care and protection.

This is why I am so determined to honor the tradition of giving thanks.  This past year has been a startling lesson on how the simple act of gratitude really can change your life.  The good is there...God's grace is there...God's presence is there....we just need to see it and thank Him for it.

Come December 1st, I will pull out my advent wreath and advent calendars and REJOICE that the Christmas season has arrived.  But, until then, I am determined to focus on giving thanks, and I invite you all to join me!