By Soon there will be parades, dog shows, football games, and eating. Lots of eating. Somewhere in the midst of this we remember that it’s Thanksgiving and so, logically, we need to take some time to express our gratitude to the One Who give all good things.
Sometimes it can be tough.
For many people, Thanksgiving is a time of family, friends, food, and football. But not for everyone. There will be many who are not enjoying the holiday with loved ones, fighting over who gets the leg (or the neck if you’re Cousin Eddie from “Christmas Vacation”). They will, instead, be alone. They may have good food to eat, or they may not. They may have had a banner year, or 2019 may have been their worst one. For some, listing the things for which they are thankful will come easy. For others, not so much.
So what do we really have to be thankful for? Beyond the usual list, what in our lives are constants for which we can always express gratitude?
1. You are unique. There is no one else, anywhere or any when, just like you. God, the Creator of all things, wanted you–unique, special you.
2. God made you to have a relationship with Him. A real, personal relationship.
3. God loves you so much He made a way for you to have a clean slate with Him, apart from any works or effort on your part. Jesus’ death on the cross paid the penalty for every wrong in your life–all you have to do is believe and appropriate it for yourself.
4. Regardless of who else you have (or don’t have) in your life, God will never leave you. Jesus said He would dwell with us when we trust in Him as our Savior, and He won’t turn His back on the one who believes in Him. Ever.
5. No matter what happens in this life, the believer is assured an eternity with the Creator who loves them.
When we have a time when it’s hard to find things to be thankful for, remember this: there is nothing to be more thankful for than the love, mercy, and forgiveness of God made available through Jesus Christ.
On the MARC 