Hard Gratitude
It’s November and the beautiful Fall colors where I live can’t be denied, however I’m working harder than normal to be thankful lately. This month kicks off the seemingly non stop celebratory happenings in our lives for the next 4-6 weeks. It comes so fast and furious that it can take my breath away. Amidst all the “post something you are thankful for every day this month” friend posts on social media I am reminded into “being thankful” every day for something this month. But unthankfulness can creep up on my gratitude and steal it’s thunder before I know what’s happened.
How does being thankful reflect my beliefs? It’s about trust and this equals my faith. My faith gives me the ability to be thankful in all things. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
God knew this part was going to be hard, that’s why the Holy Spirit is with us constantly (Matthew 28:19-20) but seriously, to be thankful in horrible situations, to be thankful on the other side of loss, of disaster, of heartbreak, really God? Don’t you just want to ask that question of Him? I do and I have… and as my brain catches up with my emotions, in my little world that is just a teeny part of His bigger world, I know He means for me to keep my eye on the prize (Philippians 3:14) and to remember: this.Earth.is.not.my.home! (John 18:36) Heaven awaits, He is preparing a place before me…a place that will be for ETERNITY… (Exodus 23:20, John 14:2)
Don’t get me wrong, I am not dowsing water on the firey passions of family gatherings, road trips, pumpkin pie, turkey etc…. some years are hard to get with the program! This is one of those years for me-
This is the first year we will not be with our son (he’s our only) for ANY of the upcoming holidays due to his work schedule demands. So, yes maybe I’m sad and I’m digging deeper to find those thankful elements I need to offer, that I need to bring attention to, those little things that God has dropped into my lap that maybe I didn’t notice. To reflect over this past year on the what WAS and not the what could have or should have been… the opportunities that await in the dawn of a new year, looking forward in hope and expectation and looking back with a cherished heart - This is where my attitude needs to meet my gratitude.
Being thankful in this season for me will be about slowing down, waiting, savoring, reflecting, treasuring, relishing, BREATHING…and possibly making moments out of what is presented to me and not unreachable expectations. To focus on taking MORE time to sit at the foot of the throne and digging deeper into what God desires for my life and less of projecting my plan into the future. I am thankful to be able to have a relationship with the one true God. I am thankful that He rewards my trust in Him by strengthening my faith.
Be thankful in all things, our Heavenly Father instructed. He gave us His Word, the Bible, a guide book to help navigate the rough road He knew we’d have in this life. If you haven’t reached out to Him, He is waiting, He is there to take your burdens of whatever is getting in the way of your having a relationship with Him, your Creator, the One who knew how it was going to be before we got here.
Thank you for being here, Blessings to you and yours,
Rhonda
The following scriptures I’ve referenced in my post are from the New International Version translation of the Bible.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Matthew 28:19-20: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, the. Son and the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all the I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Philippians 3:14: I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
John 18:36: Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
Exodus 23:20: “Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you o the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.”
John 14:2: “In my Father’s house there are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?”