Some Thanksgivingish Thoughts ;)

 

Thanksgiving: 

The word brings to mind thoughts of harvest time, pilgrims, family, friends, a chilly autumn day, turkey, pies, and other cozy things related to the well-known holiday. 

Too often though, I think we keep it in that "holiday-ish" box. 

 We all know that the last Thursday of November is a time purposely set aside for looking back on all the blessings the year has had in it, and being grateful for them. 

We may be able to get in a good groove of being thankful for a few days surrounding Thanksgiving...

but I'm afraid that at least I am guilty of dropping back into my self-absorbed, silly and rather ungrateful self. I'm so glad that the Bible is full of scriptures reminding us to Praise the Lord and thank Him for His goodness! Otherwise, I think I'd become too wrapped up in the concerns and details in life to ever recognize and be grateful for the *many* blessings I truly have.

My challenge to myself, as well as all of you, is to remember to thank the Lord daily for His awesomeness, power, love, salvation, and mercy He gives to all of us constantly. Because, you see, the thing is: We don't deserve *any* of it! If it weren't for the grace and salvation of God, we, as the selfish sinners we are, should be in the lowest, most terrible and dark place ever. That's what we deserve, without Christ.

But that's not where the story ends.

Oh no. 

Because...

"He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our sins. The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him. And by His wounds we are healed."

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Do you see that? The Perfect Lamb of God died, so that we may have life! "By His wounds we are healed"!

So, right there I have two great examples of why I should never stop giving thanks to the Lord! He has been soooo amazingly, exceedingly, good to me, and I am so blessed!

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD!
      Call upon His name;
      Make known His deeds among the peoples!

 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
      Talk of all His wondrous works!

 Glory in His holy name;
      Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!

 Seek the LORD and His strength;
      Seek His face evermore!"

" Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
         For His mercy endures forever.
 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
         For His mercy endures forever.
 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
         For His mercy endures forever:"

      “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
      Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
      Be to our God forever and ever.
      Amen.” 

 

I hope you all have had a blessed Thanksgiving Day full of family time, laughter, love, fun, and hopefully some turkey thrown in there. ;)

~Sarah