Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. Psalms 95:2
Holidays, for many, are a time of deep reflection. As we prepare to celebrate we remember holidays past. Good and bad. Regrets and celebrations. Even a few in between. I am no exception to the rule. Winter holidays have always been my favorite time of year. But that doesn’t mean I don’t spend time reflecting on life. Some of that life has been filled with more regrets than others.
Often I find myself wandering somewhere in the gap of where I wish I was and the reality of today. I thought about the people around us who feel lost in the gap of holiday celebration and the hurt in their heart too. Some are figuring out how to celebrate their first thanksgiving meal without a loved one. That loved one may have passed from this earth. Others may be distant for a multitude of reasons. None of them really matter other than the hard reality that they’re not there. Some may be stressed because the one they love is a strained relationship and their presence is bittersweet. For others the holidays don’t bring warm memories as their childhood or losses as an adult shadows the time with pain, emptiness, and a lot of “if only”.
This thanksgiving I would like to encourage us to focus our hearts on something bigger than our earthly sorrows. We all have them.
Thanksgiving is an act of giving thanks. A grateful acknowledgment of favors or blessings.
When we lose ourselves in the regrets of yesterday and wishes for tomorrow it’s easy to drown in our sorrows.
Giving thanks to God for his goodness releases the cloud of despair struggles in life have over us. We win a battle for joy despite the most difficult circumstances of our lives.
God is always good. His goodness never changes. Even when we walk in the lowest valleys or climb the roughest mountain sides just trying to make our way to the top. His love never fails and his goodness never changes.
As you prepare to celebrate the holiday tomorrow I want to encourage you to have a heart of thanksgiving. And then bring your sacrifice of praise despite whatever circumstances you’re trying to survive this season.
Sacrifice is an act of giving from yourself for the sake of something else more worthy than your own value. Sometimes our praise comes from a place of sacrifice. We praise despite our hurt. Praise our God that is more worthy than our own circumstances and pain.
Give thanks to God and praise his name (Psalm 100:4) this thanksgiving. Your heart of thanksgiving and sacrifice of praise will not return void. God inhabits the praises of his people.
Be blessed this thanksgiving. Be a blessing this thanksgiving.
Much love. Bobbie
