Today is Thanksgiving Day, a day we slow down to give thanks. Yet, I was reminded this morning that I should be giving thanks every day of the year, not just on Thanksgiving. And I try to. I have a Thank You journal by my chair to write down what I’m thankful for each morning.
It’s easy to thank God when things are going great—when my football team wins, when He answers my prayers the way I wanted, when He surprises me with sweet blessings I wasn’t expecting, when I’m healthy and feeling great.
But it’s not so easy to give thanks in the middle of a difficult situation when life is overwhelming—caring for an aging parent or sick family member, dealing with a diagnosis you never wanted to hear, financial struggles, marital heartache, a wayward child, death of a loved one much too soon. And yet, God doesn’t tell us to only give thanks when we are happy with what He’s doing. We are to give thanks in all things at all times. That’s not easy, but it pleases God when we do.
“Thanksgiving is a time of quiet reflection. . . an annual reminder that God has, again, been ever so faithful. The solid and simple things of life are brought into clear focus.” – Chuck Swindoll
Take some time for quiet reflection this week and consider these questions:
- What blessings are you thankful for?
- What hardships or difficulties can you say “thank you” for, even though you may be saying it through tears?
- How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life this year?
- Who is someone you are thankful for today? Let them know.
Happy Thanksgiving! I’d love to hear what you’re thankful for today.
