It is not happy people who are thankful, but thankful people who are happy.
Isn’t that the truth?! During this season of thankfulness, we remind ourselves of all the blessings in our lives. I’m sure there are many of us who are experiencing some difficult circumstances also. But if we choose to dwell on the challenges rather than the blessings, we will never be truly happy or content.
I’m not sure there are many people who are more eager than me for 2013 to come to a close and a new year to begin. This has been a challenging year in many ways and I am not terribly sad to see it go. But I am very grateful for all the growing and stretching I’ve done this year in so many areas and for the changes they have made in me. I’m grateful for the learning that has taken place and the maturity that is present as a result.
I’m thankful for the wonderful relationships with my loved ones and for the opportunities for them to continue to grow and develop as we grow and change as persons. I am very thankful for my health, especially after experiencing a great health scare. How wonderful to wake up each morning feeling good, to get up and go about my daily activities in good health. I have learned from past health issues the importance of good health and I do not take it for granted at all.
I am thankful for great friends who are as close, or closer, than family. They have been there in a pinch to help out in any way needed, to travel this road of life with us through all situations and we are greatly blessed to have them in our lives.
I am most thankful for my God, who has loved me unconditionally, changed me to become more like Him, forgiven me, extended His grace and mercy time and time again and who, in spite of myself and my humanness, loves me just as I am. There isn’t anything in the world I could do to make him love me any more—or less.
He is with me every moment of every day, leading, guiding, supporting, strengthening, comforting, loving. Of this I will be eternally thankful.
I pray this Thanksgiving you remember all that you have to be thankful for, whether great or small, plenty or little. I pray also you are able to spend your day with loved ones if you so choose and that, as you reflect on this year, you are able to look ahead at 2014 with anticipation for all that it holds.
As the Word tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: Be thankful in all circumstances. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!