"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever!"
-Psalm 107:1
Over the past few years Thanksgiving has quickly become my favorite holiday. Sure, growing up Christmas was probably my favorite. I definitely don't hate giving and receiving gifts, cadbury mini eggs at Easter, or my birthday. However, I think as I grow in my relationship with the Lord, I have come to the realization that there is more to love about Thanksgiving. Let me preface this by saying that while I strive to be grateful daily for ALL that He does, has done, and is doing in my life, I am constantly struggling and continuing to grow in giving Him the praise He deserves.
Today I celebrated Thanksgiving with my in-laws and members of his family. I was thinking about this holiday and the meaning behind it. While many holidays are for celebrating Christ, his birth, resurrection, etc., we have turned them into completely self-centered holidays. Each one is becoming about what we can get. I do know that this holiday could be one focused on, well, food. However, this is one holiday that should be completely focused on Christ and all that He has done for us. It should be a holiday where we don't focus on self and fix our eyes on something greater.
There are a million things that I have to be thankful for. Just today I was thinking about the small things....a warm bed, a comfortable bed, a house that is heated and cooled to my comfort (when my husband allows it :) haha), food, and not just what I need to survive but choices, at my fingertips. As we were driving in the car today in the 30 degree weather, I had a seat warmer. A SEAT WARMER??!!?? Y'all, there are people who will sleep outside tonight in this cold weather we are having. I know that this is something that we hear about a lot. I know that there is not always something we can do about it. These few things that I have mentioned are little things I can be thankful for. I haven't even mentioned my husband, my family, and friends who I am so grateful for.
I love that we have a day to reflect and that it revolves around being thankful for all that we have been given. But, I pray that we all can choose to have an attitude of gratitude each day.
"O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is His also. The sea is His, and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord, our maker."
-Psalm 95:1-6
He is so faithful. He deserves our thanksgiving everyday. He always provides, always cares, always loves. I am undeserving of how good He is to me. He meets my physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. He is worthy of my praise. He is a good God.
Thank You Lord for Your continued faithfulness in my life. Thank you for loving me. More than anything, I am grateful for His grace. I am grateful for my salvation and that He chose to save me. I belong to Him forever and ever.
"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds."
-Psalm 9:1
"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen."
-Revelation 7:12