There is nothing like the month of November to bring to light the many things I am thankful for in my life. I must admit that I am extremely grateful for the religious history that our country holds ... even when so many deny the very principles our country was founded on!
In 1621, the Wampanoag Indians and the Plymouth colonists (pilgrims) celebrated the first Thanksgiving as an Autumn harvest feast of thanks. The second Thanksgiving celebration was two years later and marked the end of a long drought. Governor Bradford called for a religious fast. Days of fasting and thanksgiving became quite common. During the American Revolution there were often one or more days of thanksgiving celebrated in a year. In 1789, George Washington issued the very first Thanksgiving proclamation. He asked Americans to show their gratitude for the end of the war that declared our nation's independence. Succeeding presidents also declared days of Thanksgiving throughout their presidencies. It wasn't until 1863 that Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that the final Thursday of November each year should be a holiday and that all Americans should ask God to "commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife and heal the wounds of the nation." In 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt officially signed a bill making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday of November each year. While Thanksgiving has religious roots, our American culture has lost that significance and focuses more on the feast of food that is shared with family and friends right before the insanity of Black Friday hits.
History lesson aside, I choose to reflect on the bountiful blessings I have in my life. God has richly blessed us, through both joy and sorrow and 2012 has brought us both.
March brought us a tremendous trial when George was critically injured in a dirt bike accident. While his injuries were severe and could have been life threatening (unbeknownst to us at the time), God protected him and healed him. We are so fortunate that God has blessed him with a job that allowed him the month off of work to heal and the luxury of returning to light duty at work before going back in full swing. Praise God for his protection over Geo and our family. Shortly after returning back to work, were also very blessed by George being awarded a new position. This blessing allows George to work regular daytime hours without weekends, holidays or shift work involved! Amen to family time and being able to spend our weekends and worship time together again every week!
The month of May brought us to the graduation of our oldest daughter Katie and her decision to go off to college. While it is difficult as a parent to watch each of my children grow up and leave, I am very, very proud of her.
July brought us the loss of one very special lady this year. The loss of Grandma Ellen is especially felt at this time of year because of all the wonderful memories we have of her. I remember many Thanksgiving weekends spent with Gram (and Grandad too). She was always cooking up her wonderful Thanksgiving dishes for the family. When the cooking was done and the meal complete, the rest of the afternoon and evening were spent playing cards around the kitchen table. Memories ... years gone by and a chapter of our lives has closed. Through it all, God has been faithful to me and my family. He sustains us always.
August bought us face to face with the reality of losing our pastor and his family to a church in California. They were also very special friends! They are family to our family. Our children have grown up together. We have gone on camping trips together. We have spent many nights around a table playing cards or marbles or just sharing dinner and friendship. After being in our lives for the last 10 years, we feel their absence tremendously, but we know God works out his plans for good! Dave and Anne answered a call. A call from God. They were obedient in answering.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
This verse applies to every aspect of our lives! God is in control. I realize that even more with one daughter in college, another daughter in her senior year (and discerning a life of commitment to the Lord through missionary work) and my son in his final year of middle school. Oh, how the years roll by!
I sit here reflecting on this past year and I am ever thankful for the fullness of life I experience through the sustenance I find through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. I am so thankful for this week and the reminder that it is of so many blessings. I am thankful for the birth of our Savior 2000 years ago. The sacrifice God made in giving up his son. The sacrifice Christ made in giving up his own life. The pain and agony of the crucifixtion that our Lord suffered that makes us realize the magnitude of the GIFT we are given. Thank you Jesus.
I am thankful for the country we live in and the freedom we have. The soldiers past, present and future – those who have fought in wars, died in war, will fight in war all to preserve the freedom that we luxuriously live in. We are blessed to be free because of those who have fought and died preserving that freedom!
I am thankful for sunsets and sunrises – I have witnessed both this week in
glorious fashion! God is a most magnficent artist! I am thankful for the mountains that I love to hike and camp in. For the Eastern plains which I grew up on. For the farmers and ranchers around the world who grow the food we are fortunate to have and eat. I am thankful for having grown up on a farm and for having experienced life in a farm family in rural America. My roots run deep! I am thankful for my spiritual heritage and christian upbringing! (Thank you mom and dad!)
I am thankful for my family. For parents who love us and are involved in my children's lives. For my siblings and the children they have raised so my children can grown up with cousins like I did. What a blessing to have family! I am thankful for George. God knew what he was doing when he sent me a Christian man! I am thankful for George leading our family and providing for us and for being a Godly father to our children. I am thankful for each one of my children ~ unique and special in their own ways. I am thankful for their love and devotion to our God and Savior.
I am thankful for my friends! Friends both near and far. Without them, life would not be so fun! I am grateful that they love me for who I am. Who else would I hike with, camp with, laugh with, gather with, shop with, worship with, enjoy life with? (Besides my family!)
I am thankful for Christian friends, church family and the luxury of worshipping our Lord freely. I am thankful for the fellowship, the friendships, the family I have through my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I am thankful for my good health and the health of family and friends. We are blessed when so many are suffering from health problems.
I am thankful for my job where I have opportunity to touch,
influence, teach and love on over 500 students a day. A job … that even when it frustrates me, I am
lucky to have when so many are in need of work.
I am thankful for my home. A roof over my head, food on the table, a family to love, a family to love me back.
My list could run on and on, but the point can be made right here. I am thankful for all that I am and all that I have. God is good.
I am Blessed. Blessed. I am Full ... to the brim of blessings. I am Full. Full of Thanks.
Thank Full.
Thankful.
May you and your family enjoy a most blessed Thanksgiving holiday together.
