Thanksgiving.... Why should we be thankful today?? I mean, we live lives that are so consumed with the latest and greatest, for our gratification and fulfillment, why should we take today to stop, only to pick it back up a few hours later with Black Friday and all its craze. Christmas even has become this way, losing all of its meaning for most, and has become a day to worship self and others through receiving gifts and giving gifts to others out of reciprocity. Yet, Christmas is our reminder of Jesus’ birth, of the humbling that He partook in so that we may know Him and not perish, but be redeemed. He died and that was His gift to us. Something we did not merit, but was given to us without regret. This is our purpose of Christmas, to remember that and to treasure that and to share it. This is our joy. For many, the holidays suck and Thanksgiving signifies the beginning of this time of pain and loneliness. They are reminded of loved ones that have passed away, of the problems that haunt their life, they see portrayals all over of people smiling and worry-free as they swipe their credit cards to purchase gifts and those real people are asking real questions of “why am I not happy,” “why am I alone,” “what is the point of this,” and “what am I missing that they apparently have?”
The bible tells us in Philippians that we are to rejoice ALWAYS. How can we rejoice always? It’s not easy. Things go wrong, life throws curveballs at you all the time. People hurt you, you let yourself down, promises are broken, people judge, you feel lonely, you feel empty, life feels like it loses its meaning. How can you feel thankful for this? May I suggest that we can because even though things may be going wrong in life, we have life, though we have fights with family and friends, we have family and friends, though work may be rough, we have a job, though school can be so tiring and it may suck, we are gifted with the ability to learn and to gain an education. Most importantly, you have been saved and have the promise of eternal life and your sin and mistakes have been covered and erased, IF you believe in God with all of your heart. If nothing else, you can be thankful for this.
Life itself is a precious gift that we have abused and take for granted.. May we remember how much our life means to our Creator and live like we believe it.
I am truly thankful for you family. As we walk through life together, may we grow with each other and with our King. May we glorify and please our King.
Be blessed and be a blessing.
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