Everywhere I’ve been this week I see Christmas decorations. In the stores, in yards, and even Facebook is splattered with pictures of Christmas trees going up.
As much as I love Christmas, I couldn’t find it in me to take down my fall mantle. It has a set of broken pilgrims that stand tall and proud. If you shake the mantle … the male pilgrim’s top half will topple over, making him look like he’s been sawn in half by a magician.
I know … I need to superglue this universal symbol of gratitude together but somehow … I feel led to leave him broken. He reminds me of how I feel sometimes … broken … but still showing up and taking my place as God would have me do.
I purposely don’t want to forget the raw places that keep me close to God. I may whine at times … but the truth is … I need to see and be reminded of how desperately I need God.
Just as I write these words to you today … I sit here in mismatched pajamas … Indian style on my bed. My bible is laid open to Psalms 71 (a new favorite), there are about 10 used up tissues scattered about because I have a vicious cold.
The heating pad is on my lower back at the moment because I landed in the doctor’s office yesterday, doubled over with intense pain. It seems I have a rather angry kidney/urinary tract infection because God gave me two urethras. What a blessing right?
I’m miserable, physically, head to toe on this special day … but yet I am most thankful.
In my younger days, I am ashamed to say that I couldn’t always find gratefulness when life wasn’t all sunshine.
How about you?
Is there a situation in your life today that is swallowing up the goodness of God?
Are you wondering this morning how you were dealt the cards you are playing with?
Are you confused at how God allows the good and the bad … even from difficult people … into your life?
Yes, our infinite God allows places in life that we don’t understand … but HE is ever understanding about our plight.
Unfortunately, some of these difficult places we find ourselves in is of our own making … yet some are trials.
God wants us to learn the truths of His faithfulness through our mistakes and the trials … but sometimes we choose to check out on God in the middle of the test.
Sometimes we are walking through the wilderness and we decide to camp out for a while.
Bitterness, anger, and depression often stall us.
Just like the children of Israel, we can complain, blame God or someone else … but the truth of the matter is … we are responsible for checking out on God.
We are the ones who take our eyes off God and put them on self.
Trust me … I know.
I’ve done it too many times in years past.
So today on this Thanksgiving day … I challenge you to take your eyes off of what it is that’s stealing your peace.
Shift your focus … if only for an hour … to our faithful God who wants you to see Him today.
Make a list of the good things in your life. Then make a list of how HE has been faithful to you in the past.
I challenge you to spend some time in prayer thanking Him for all good in your life, past and present.
It’s time to shut down camp and move on.
We can choose to wallow in our circumstances or we can be grateful for what “is” good in our lives.
It’s simply an attitude adjustment my friends … one that replaces misery … with a faith in the one who created you and knows all about you.
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
So what is your “everything” dear one? Will you get alone with God and figure it out today? You might just be surprised at what He shows you.
Happy Thanksgiving my friends. May you see our loving God through all of your circumstances today!
