It’s the day before Thanksgiving and I’m wondering what to write. How, in these times of war and so much conflict, do we encourage each other to be thankful? We can all be thankful for our family: husbands, wives, kids, parents….but then so many don’t have a family, or a home for that matter. So many are hungry and live in the streets and alleys. Some have recently lost loved ones or fighting for their own life because of some dreaded disease. Where do we look to find hope for a better future?
For us Christians, our hope is found in Christ. In fact any hope anyone has of a better future is found in Him. We live our lives one minute at a time and circumstances can change just that quickly…in a minute. First of all, the one thing we can be thankful for is life itself. We’ve all heard it said: Where there’s life, there’s hope. Well it’s true. If we have put our trust in Jesus, it’s not hard to find lots to be thankful for. However, for those who haven’t turned their hearts over to Him, finding a ray of hope might seem impossible. My prayer for this holiday season is that all hearts might be touched by the love of God and everyone who is not a believer might be given an opportunity to see what a difference knowing Him could make.
If every follower of Christ shared His story with just one person who needs to hear it, imagine the impact it would have. The greatest gift we’re given is the gift of faith, for by it we are saved. Faith grows when it is shared with others….not only for the one whom we share it with, but for the one sharing. Faith, the Bible tells us, is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith is what convinces us that God is real and shows us the proof of His existence in the wonder of His creations. When we share what God has done for us and how knowing Him has changed our lives it at least gives the one hearing it a glimmer of hope.
Our country is in dire straights right now. So many are cynical and unable to see the possibility of things getting better any time soon. Witnessing to others is planting the seed of faith in them….it takes time for seeds to grow, some a lot longer than others. But we must trust that growth to God, the finisher of our faith.
This Thanksgiving I am thankful to be living in a country where we are still free to share our faith in most areas without fear of being persecuted. This freedom may not be available to us by this time next year the way things are going. Sharing and leading others to Jesus, standing up for beliefs when they are challenged and being faithful ourselves is the only way we can insure this freedom remains available for our kids and grand kids.
As I look back on Thanksgivings passed, I am thankful for the memories and traditions each one handed down. When I was growing up, we seldom had a turkey, but fried chicken, ham or maybe a roast was our entree. Everybody who came brought something and it was always delicious.
My best memories are of the day before Thanksgiving when Mama’s kitchen was filled with the excitement of baking. Mama, my sister and I…. and sometimes a couple of brothers, joined in on the mixing, beating, dough rolling and pouring the pies into their homemade crusts. Flour flew and laughs were many. Everyone’s favorite was Mama’s chocolate pie with a smooth rich filling and a meringue topping baked to a golden brown perfection. I don’t remember one Thanksgiving….even after having my own family….that we didn’t have some of Mama’s pie.
My oldest grand daughter always asks, “Are you making your chocolate pie, Grandma?”
“Actually, it’s my mama’s chocolate pie, ” I say….”and it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without it.”
Whatever it might be, I hope you all have something to look forward to this Thanksgiving and lots to be thankful for. I hope you all have a blessed day spent with people you love. In spite of the condition our world is in at present, we have much hope and God’s promise to never leave us or forsake us….so let’s be sure to thank Him for getting us this far and for all the blessings to come.
A special thank you to FGGAM and Pastor Dewey for allowing me the opportunity to share my thoughts and inspirations. God bless you and Happy Thanksgiving to all!
