The holidays are upon us! There's a fire in the fireplace, smells of turkey and stuffing wafting from the kitchen, and in the immortal words of Bing Crosby "I've got plenty to be thankful for!"
When I was a kid, I used to think it was such a drag when my mom forced us to go one by one around the table to say what we were thankful for. Now that I'm getting older and I'm preparing to start a new life season in YWAM, I'm realizing how much I really am thankful for the little things. I'm thankful for the sunshine and the rain; for the beauty of the world around me. I'm thankful for the eyes God has given me to appreciate those little things that catch my attention. I'm also thankful for the perseverance He's given me to chase after the things that matter most to me. I'm even more thankful for the unique relationship I have with my sisters and with my amazing family. I'm thankful for the people who make my life so special and who have stayed by my side through all of life's ups and downs. I'm thankful that I have so many homes where I feel safe to be vulnerable as myself. I'm thankful for the fun times I've shared with the people I love, and I'm even thankful for the things that have challenged me in these last few months. Not every situation has been easy or pleasant, but they have definitely taught me a lot. Growth is something that happens the fastest under extreme pressure, and is rarely comfortable. But without growth, life would become stagnant and boring. Without challenges to face, I wouldn't know what I'm really capable of. Overcoming hard times takes a lot more strength and patience than I naturally have in myself, but I've always been met with an abundance of grace to take them on each step at a time. God has always been my strength and brought the right people into my life to encourage and support me. I have thoroughly learned that I can't always take care of myself, but also that I don't necessarily have to. All of these things could be hard enough to distract me from my thankfulness, or they could become the fuel for it. The same circumstance can come in many different flavors depending on what perspective you use to interpret it. Pain can as easily cause bitterness as it can accent sweetness - it's a potent seasoning either way, but it's up to us to decide how we're going to use it. Instead of letting my pain be an excuse to sink into self pity or self doubt, I can harness it to motivate me about my next steps. I can use it as the backdrop for the hope of a new day, and allow it to give greater meaning to the things I take away from it. Even the sting of loss and betrayal can be used as tools to see all the good that God has given me. Losing something doesn't hurt if it wasn't precious in the first place, and I would rather be thankful for having had it in the first place than angry that it was taken away from me. And betrayal stings the worst of all, but even that makes the loyalty of true friends shine brighter than ever. I am never truly alone, never truly forgotten, and never truly without hope. There is always a silver lining somewhere deep inside the rain cloud, and I am most thankful of all that God gives me eyes to look for it wherever it is hidden. The troubles of this world won't leave us alone until this age is over, but God has given us a peace and resilience through His Holy Spirit that is strong enough to trump anything else this world has to offer. That is the greatest fruit of our renewed lives with Him and the greatest gift we could ever ask for! And that is the joy I wish for each of you on this beautiful Thanksgiving Day!
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