November 2009 - Do you have a thankful heart?

11/01/2009

Just like the early Pilgrims, gathering with family and friends and sharing a meal together is what counts, not how elaborate it is. Even in a time of hardship we can find much to be thankful for.

As we enter into the holiday season once again, I want to share a few Thanksgiving Day thoughts with you. The very name of this holiday, Thanksgiving, tells me what it’s all about and that is giving thanks.
This year some of you will celebrate this holiday different than ever before out of necessity. Instead of having family and friends gathered around an elaborate meal, you may not be able to invite anyone over, or the meal may be very basic. Many of our working people are standing in the unemployment lines, or maybe their unemployment has run out. Some people no longer have their home. Yes, we truly are in a time of economic crisis in our country, and throughout the world.

I pray our hard times help our nation, and us individually, to return to what Thanksgiving was intended to be – a day of giving thanks for what we do have. Just like the early Pilgrims, gathering with family and friends and sharing a meal together is what counts, not how elaborate it is.
Even in a time of hardship we can find much to be thankful for. Look around at our beautiful countryside, national parks, animal life, amazing galaxies, and all the rest our heavenly Father created for our enjoyment. You may have good health, or not such good health, but you are alive. Start at the foundation of life which is our very breath given to us by God. You may say, “Please, Judy, do you really believe that?” and I say of course I do. Just go and ask someone who is on oxygen all the time if breathing is not the very foundation of life. Stop breathing and you die!

Despite its faults, our country is still one of the best on the planet! We have so many freedoms that people in many countries can only dream about. We may be poor and even go hungry at times, but few people in our nation die from starvation, unlike the millions in other countries. We can move about our nation freely, worship as we choose, and even protest against those who do worship! What a country!

I am thankful to know that if I were to die today, I would go to heaven. No matter what comes my way, I stand on the promises of God for my health and safety. I might not understand what is happening around me, but I know that God is on my side. I sure hope you do too.

I am thankful also that my child and grandchildren are serving the Lord and living for Him. I am thankful to be able to travel with my husband around the country telling people of Jesus Christ’s love for them, and that He died on the cross for their sin and they too can have eternal life. We are thankful that we are children of God with a future and a purpose. I see people all over the USA with no future or purpose. That is sad!

As you gather around the Thanksgiving table this month, whether you’re dining on turkey and trimmings or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, I hope you will take time to be thankful. Start counting your blessings and giving thanks one by one. Thank the Lord that He is with you, and if you don’t know that He is with you, ask Him to be with you. Then thank Him. Make this Thanksgiving a time to reflect on what you do have instead of what you do not have! Ephesians 5:20 says giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.