It's that time of year!
What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? I am thankful for so many things...they are beyond counting! But the Bible (and the song...haha) tells us to count them one by one. And I don't think we do it often enough. I think our thankfulness should be overflowing to the point that everyone around us thinks we are weird. I think folks should be able to glance at us and see the thankfulness running out of us.
What do people see when they glance at you? Do you scowl like me without even realizing it? Do you look annoyed at your children when they ask a question? Do you huff when you are waiting in line? Do you roll your eyes while your husband is talking in a crowd?
It is frightening to imagine that I could be the ONLY Jesus that some people get a glimpse of in life. How do I portray Him to every contact I make? What if there is no second impression and the first glance is all someone gets? Will they want a relationship like mine or will they feel pity towards me thinking I must be miserable as a Christian???
Counting blessings can encourage you to be thankful even when folks think in your situation that you shouldn't be! So list them...what are you thankful for? Here are just a few of mine...Salvation, the privilege to pray, an intimate relationship with Jesus, HIS WORD!, family, friends, health, employment, food and shelter, clothing, transportation, the nice weather!, entertainment, Breezy (our dog), etc....
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
In Him,
Kristy =)
Oh, where to begin... this, as you may know, is my FAVORITE holiday (and my granny's too). It's not that I don't love Christmas - really I don't, at least not what it has become. I love the fact that it celebrates the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - but the commercialism really annoys. So, I tend to celebrate Jesus's birth 365 days a year.
ReplyDeleteBack to Turkey Day.... it has been a challenging year and there have been days when I have dwelt on those challenges instead of the grace and mercy God has granted to endure them. So, naturally, we (all who know Jesus as Lord) are grateful for Salvation (we should be so thankful that everyone we meet hears about it - got lots of work to do on this one)... but more specifically I am thankful for...... one more day to cook turkey and all the fixin's for my granny while she watches to make sure I don't mess up and while I sneak my secret ingredients (sour cream in the mashed taters) behind her back......a son who grates my nerves most days, but still knows Jesus and would give anyone the shirt off of his back (now if I could just get him to clean his room)..... a dad who loves us unconditionally (guess he learned that one from God) and who has never let me down (even though I have done my share)..... for friends who see the real me and love me anyway..... for all the kids I call "mine" - they are more than precious to me..... for undeserved answered prayers..... for the simple beaty of His creation....for my country and the freedoms we hold dear thanks to the men and women who serve it proudly....
Dear Lord, hear our prayer - help us to keep Thanksgiving in our hearts throughout the coming year.
Tonia