When I was younger I loved it because of my grandma's amazing cooking. She made the best of everything and I remember leaving her table so stuffed I could hardly roll myself over to the couch for a nap. I would fall asleep with the wonderful aromas of sage and pumpkin pie spices still tickling my nose, and find comfort in the voices of my grandmother and aunts as they lingered at the table talking of Thanksgivings long ago and the people who no longer graced our table.
But as I have gotten older, (and done most of the cooking myself on this holiday!)I have grown to appreciate more than anything the opportunity to halt the incessant speeding train of our hectic lives and give thanks.
Nothing cheers a person up more than to sit back and take inventory of their blessings. Feeling blue? Count your blessings. Feeling bitter? Count your blessings. Feeling negative, discouraged, snarky? Count your blessings! The hymn "Count your blessings" was one of my favorites as a child and expresses exactly what I mean:
When upon life's billows
You are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged
Thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings
Name them one by one
And it will surprise you
What the Lord has done
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your blessings
See what God has done
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God has done
Are you ever burdened
With a load of care
Does the cross seem heavy
You are called to bear
Count your many blessings
Every doubt will fly
And you will be singing
As the days go by
When you look at others
With their lands and gold
Think that Christ has promised
You His wealth untold
Count your many blessings
Money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven
Nor your home on high
So, amid the conflict
Whether great or small
Do not be discouraged
God is over all
Count your many blessings
Angels will attend
Help and comfort give you
To your journey's end
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your blessings
See what God has done
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God has done!
Name them one by one
Count your blessings
See what God has done
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God has done!
I enjoy learning about current events and prophecy and how the two are occurring hand in hand these days. However, it can sometimes cause me to feel fear and discouragement. Why aren't our politicians listening to us? Are we on the brink of civil war in our country? Why can't people see the immeasurable value of the freedoms we enjoy that our forefathers fought so hard for? My own ancestors fought in the American Revolution. It matters so much to me that we don't loose our liberties. Why doesn't it matter more to others and what is going to happen if they don't?
Why aren't more people aware that Jesus is coming soon? Why don't they want to know HIM? Why can't they SEE there is a CREATOR And HE LOVES THEM? It gives me a panicky feeling inside and I can easily start to worry.
But if I will STOP and count my blessings -- and keep my focus on the great and mighty things God has done -- I find peace. I find hope. I find my Jehovah Jireh, the One True God, Who provides for me in the midst of conflict, in the midst of war, in the midst of trouble, in the midst of pain, in the midst of it all. He is there. I am in the palm of His hand. Oh! What a BLESSING to imagine the Great and Mighty Hand of God holding ME there! The Word tells us that the entire universe fits in the SPAN OF HIS HAND (Isaiah 40:12). Frankly, I can't even begin to wrap my mind around that fact.
And yet, that great and mighty God, who is SO BIG, loves ME. Now THAT is a blessing!
If I seem enthusiastic about this -- it's because I am! If I could I would stand on my Thanksgiving table and shout: "The Great and Mighty God Who created heavens and earth loves ME and for THAT I am THANKFUL!"
If that were all He ever did for me -- it would be enough, wouldn't it? But He does so much more. And I need not be afraid. In the same context of Isaiah's prophecy describing the massiveness of God's hand, he writes, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness...For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." (Isaiah 41 10 & 13).
Can you imagine? That Hand, that Great, limitless RIGHT Hand -- that Hand of Authority -- upholds us as God speaks to us, "Fear not, child - I will help you. Don't be afraid, I'm here."
But do we believe that? Do we really, really, really believe that? If we did, would we be stressed, worried, upset? Of course we're human, and while initially we might feel those emotions -- we don't need to roll around in them the way my dog rolls around in dead things right after his bath. No! We can rejoice in ALL our situations! We can rejoice in ALL things and ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING AND HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE!!
HALLELUJAH!!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Why aren't more people aware that Jesus is coming soon? Why don't they want to know HIM? Why can't they SEE there is a CREATOR And HE LOVES THEM? It gives me a panicky feeling inside and I can easily start to worry.
But if I will STOP and count my blessings -- and keep my focus on the great and mighty things God has done -- I find peace. I find hope. I find my Jehovah Jireh, the One True God, Who provides for me in the midst of conflict, in the midst of war, in the midst of trouble, in the midst of pain, in the midst of it all. He is there. I am in the palm of His hand. Oh! What a BLESSING to imagine the Great and Mighty Hand of God holding ME there! The Word tells us that the entire universe fits in the SPAN OF HIS HAND (Isaiah 40:12). Frankly, I can't even begin to wrap my mind around that fact.
And yet, that great and mighty God, who is SO BIG, loves ME. Now THAT is a blessing!
If I seem enthusiastic about this -- it's because I am! If I could I would stand on my Thanksgiving table and shout: "The Great and Mighty God Who created heavens and earth loves ME and for THAT I am THANKFUL!"
If that were all He ever did for me -- it would be enough, wouldn't it? But He does so much more. And I need not be afraid. In the same context of Isaiah's prophecy describing the massiveness of God's hand, he writes, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness...For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." (Isaiah 41 10 & 13).
Can you imagine? That Hand, that Great, limitless RIGHT Hand -- that Hand of Authority -- upholds us as God speaks to us, "Fear not, child - I will help you. Don't be afraid, I'm here."
But do we believe that? Do we really, really, really believe that? If we did, would we be stressed, worried, upset? Of course we're human, and while initially we might feel those emotions -- we don't need to roll around in them the way my dog rolls around in dead things right after his bath. No! We can rejoice in ALL our situations! We can rejoice in ALL things and ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING AND HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE!!
HALLELUJAH!!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
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