Another thanksgiving day is upon us when we gather around the table to give thanks to God. We celebrate with turkey, dressings, and other fixings as well as enjoy time together with family and friends. Although, giving thanks ought to be a daily event, this thanksgiving, I am reminded to give thanks for all the Lord has done in the past year.
What am I thankful for?
I am thankful for many things. First and foremost, I am thankful for a greater awareness and deeper understanding of who God is. I am thankful that He invites me daily to come to Him. I am grateful for the storms of life and the lessons in them that help me grow in obedience, patience, kindness and love. I am thankful for God’s call on my life and for the opportunity to serve Him through ministering to others.
I am thankful for the Sisters-in-Christ who come alongside me every week and help me to be accountable to God’s call. I am grateful for the Word as it provides life sustaining wisdom and truth daily for my personal use and also for teaching others.
I am grateful for the basic needs of food, shelter, clothing, good health and a job. I am thankful for my children, husband, extended family and friends. The children are growing into young adults and as we are approaching an empty nest, I am thankful for all the memories that we have made as a family. I am thankful for professional and spiritual mentors who encourage me to be all that I am called to be.
I am thankful for peace of mind in Christ and for my marriage. I am thankful for the restoration and reunion. The Lord has certainly met our needs in big ways this year. He restored years and years of broken relationships. Lord, for these and many more…..I am truly grateful!
Friend, what are you thankful for? I pray that you too will reflect and give thanks to God for all the ways He has met your needs this year.
Father, thank you for who you are and for the blessings we receive from you each day. Help us not to take them for granted but know that you provide according to your will and purpose. Amen.
We bring the sacrifice of praise
Unto the house of the Lord.
We bring the sacrifice of praise
Unto the house of the Lord.And we offer up to You
The sacrifices of thanksgiving;
And we offer up to You
The sacrifices of joy.
(Kirk Dearman)
Scriptures:
Therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Hebrews 13:15, NIV)
Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8, NIV)
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song. (Psalm 95:1-2, NIV)
