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Growing up, we had a family tradition on Thanksgiving Day, of going around the table, having each person state what they are thankful for that year. For some reason, this seemed to make everyone uncomfortable, and turned into a sarcastic joke session! I looked around at my mother, brothers and sisters with their respective beautiful families, and wondered why it was that they couldn’t express their appreciation for all that they had been given and blessed with! I'm not judging, please understand, just curious? They all have great jobs, terrific kids who don't give them any trouble, and each enjoys excellent health and financial prosperity. Oh, well. I guess sometimes we take these things for granted, and I'm certain I am sometimes guilty of the very same thing.
I suppose I’m stymied because I have so much to be thankful for, that I am just busting at the seams to express my eternal gratitude to the only One who deserves it! The One who makes it all possible. The One I cannot do a thing without! My Father, Comforter, Savior and friend.
My summer was riddled with medical calamities, causing me to spend several weeks in the hospital, yet I give thanks every day. So, as I sit here in a wheelchair, recovering from 17 broken bones from a car accident on July 14th, and subsequent pneumonia, I make sure to take the time to thank Him continually through each day!.
"Thank Him?! For WHAT?! For letting you suffer?"
God didn't cause my accident or break my bones, nor did He sit and watch uncaringly as my lungs filled with fluid. Why would I be angry or bitter toward Him? We are not promised a perfectly happy life here on earth, free of any strife, illness, sadness, or even hang-ups! What He does promise, and I receive this promise only because of my belief and obedience, is to always be faithful and watch over me.
"The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness to all those who keep His covenant and obey His decrees." (Ps. 25:10)
"...For the Lord protects those who are loyal to Him..." (Ps. 31:23)
I'm sure that many of you have heard or seen the little story called "Footprints" that talks about how God is with us in the easy times, and when we look down at the sand, we see two sets of footprints: our own, and God’s. But in the hard times, we may ask, "Where are you?" because we may only see one set of footprints. The anonymous author writes God's answer in this very poignant way, "Oh my child, my precious child...at those most difficult times, the times when you see only one set of footprints, it is those times that I carried you." Please understand that this is not a scripture passage, but something that someone shared to express that GOD IS FAITHFUL. That despite our circumstances, and no matter that we have done absolutely nothing to deserve this awesome measure of His grace, He does promise in His Word that He will always be with us, and God always keeps His promises.
"God has given us both has promise and his oath, These two things are unchangeable..." (Heb 6:18)
He loved me before I even knew Him!
"We love each other as a result of his loving us first." (1 John 4:19)
He saves us from ourselves and our misguided ways, and offers a provision for an eternity with Him! So, this year, if someone asks you what you are thankful for while you are consuming huge amounts of turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoes, please take that opportunity to share what God has so gracefully given you, no matter how it may be received. He’ll be very pleased!
Copyright Cindy Buchanan
