Thanksgiving

I do realize that it is not November nor is it Thanksgiving time.  But in all reality, thanksgiving should be year round.  I read a wonderful book at the end of last year that opened my eyes to the idea of giving thanks....for everything. 

The book that opened my eyes was One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  It is a poignant journey of one woman struggling with similar questions.  It truly changed my way of looking at the world on a daily basis.  Instead of thinking of all that I need to do when I am in the car on the way to work, I now thank God for all the things that I see that I enjoy or that bring me joy....a Snowy Egret, beautiful vineyards, the fresh smell of Eucalyptus trees.  I have not tried to count out one thousand of the amazing blessings I receive from God each day but reading the book did change my overall view of my world. 

It is such a difficult concept because my first reaction to some of the things that happen in my life is "why me?"  For example, the same year that I invited Jesus into my life, my husband and I were in a pretty bad car accident and it was a long and difficult recovery.  Instead of looking at all the good things that came from it and all the things that could have happened to make the accident worse, I got stuck in the "why did you let this happen God?" 

And I am certainly not saying it is easy.  If you are struggling with something like cancer or the death of a loved one, it can be difficult to see the good.  But God tells us in His word that He will work all things for our good "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."  I often don't know why things happen, but usually if I can look at the events later, I can see the good that came from them. 

For me it is a matter of faith...and I have to work at faith daily because it does not come naturally to me.  Perhaps you are in the same boat....

In His Grace...