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Happy Thanksgiving and a few Tidbits

Happy Thanksgiving

Dear friends, let me wish you a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving today. In every sense, this is one of my favorite three holidays of the year, alongside Christmas (Christ’s birth) and Easter (Christ’s resurrection). On this day, we stop as a nation to demonstrate gratitude toward God and each other. Isn’t it wonderful? A full day to be grateful together. A tradition connected to the first settlers with the native Americans before colonization, and broadened through the years to include every American. Of course as a follower of Christ, this day holds a much greater meaning. We allow our faith to fill in all the cracks, edges, and anything that is missing. When we look at this day through our faith’s lens, we see God’s character, His presence, and His providential working all around us. At this point, we truly begin to experience the essence of this holiday and breathe the natural breath of faith – one that takes in God’s Word and world and exhales a spirit of gratitude.

Tidbits for This Day – from my morning devotions

Mrs. Maybelle Cowles Reminds Us of First Order

Growing up attending Grace Baptist Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky, I have no idea the number of times I sat through a testimony portion of the service. Often the pastor, my dad, would offer any person in the church the opportunity to stand and reflect with the assembled church family something for which he or she was thankful. It could of course be about anything. Somewhere along the way, I realized that almost always the first person to raise their hand and stand was Mrs. Maybelle Cowles. She would begin, “Bro. Marvin, I want to thank the Lord first for my salvation…” Yes. That is where we begin on this day and every day. What would we do without our salvation?

Grateful for Family and Friends

Today, I reflect on my family and friends. I’m grateful to be around so many even today, yet I recognize that my friendships, church family, and family members in Christ extend so far. Upon these individuals this morning I think and ask God to bless them on this day. I rejoice in the gift of my family! Absolutely blessed. I rejoice in the gift of my church family! Blessed again. And, I rejoice in so many friends in Christ all over the world! Over the top blessed.

Some of my friends today hurt. I have asked God to comfort them in their struggles. I appreciate the reminder recently to think of suffering under both banners of loss and longing. Some of us suffer under one or both of those categories. We have lost; we long. This morning I think through those lists and consider the many people I know on this day who have lost and who long. I have prayed for you. I do so even now.

Possibly there are those who you so long to be with today. A very special friend. Family. A group of people. Me too. Take a moment and pray for that person or people that God would grant them a special day of realized blessings wherever they are and with whomever they are.

God’s Provisions

God provides for us each day. Do we live in a perfect world? No, that’s the next world. We do long for that day though. Yet, until then, enjoy all the good things God provides us each day. Nature. People. Things.

Who could paint a prettier picture than God? Oh my! The recent lunar eclipse, the beautiful fall, and the gorgeous temperatures are all examples of the beauty all around us that proclaims the glory of God.

As part of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for God’s provisions to the first settlers. As the days have continued, I am grateful for our country. Imperfect and incomplete, our country still provides the most religious freedom for us and our families than any country in the history of the world. Further, our missionary outreach as a result of this country has been great. Plus, mercy and a desire for justice permeates this society. For these things, we are grateful for God’s provisions.

Let’s Be Thankful Together

On this day, let’s be thankful together. We certainly could complain, ask for more, and change a few things. No doubt that is true for all of us. However, on this day, let us rejoice in our God, His provisions, and His grace.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Image Credit Adam Winger

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