Thankfulness is a curious thing, isn’t it? It’s one of those feelings that can’t help but result in something good. Gratitude can be humbling, restorative, invigorating, or attitude-changing—to name just a few possible results. This Thursday when we sit around a table laden with all kinds of good food, many of us will count our blessings and share all the good things we’re thankful for. That’s easy.
But here, today, I thought I’d explore the hard stuff instead.
The Bible tells us we’re to be thankful in all things. That’s a tough one. I mean, really—everything? Last week was a challenging one for me. I visited a facility for disabled kids and adults—the kind of place my son will live in someday, when I can’t take care of him any more. I cried all the way home. Am I supposed to find something in this to be thankful for?
The answer is yes, even though I didn’t want it to be.
That’s when I have to remember some of God’s promises. Like not allowing something to come my way (or my son’s) that’s beyond our endurance. Or that He can work everything—all things—toward a good result, because my faith in Him is proven by my love for Him. Somehow, even if only out of pure obedience, we’re to thank Him in all things. Even for the disappointments in this life.
Because that’s just it. It’s all happening in this life, this side of Heaven. Which leads me to the obvious question: Do people who live without faith have a harder time with the feeling behind Thanksgiving than those of us who know this life isn’t all there is?
If I thought this life was all there was for me, that at the end of it I’m just going to turn to dust, then I’m not sure I could be thankful for anything, least of all the disappointments in my life. At least knowing God loves me, that He plans some good result from even the bad things, that even while I’m going through the worst of my disappointments, I can take comfort that this life isn’t all there is. Maybe I’m supposed to go through some heartache so I end up not only depending on Him more, but looking forward to spending eternity with Him—where tears won’t exist, and even the most festive Thanksgivings here will pale in comparison to the ones we enjoy there.
So, with a grateful heart, I wish you a very thank-filled Thanksgiving. Yep, for all of it.
What a wonderful reminder at the beginning of this week. Thanks, Maureen!
And Happy Thanksgiving to you!
I know there are no limits to what burdens I would carry for you, my life-long friend, so you would have joy where this is disappointment, how much more God DOES do that for us. Thank you for your always thoughtful, enlightened posts. Happy Thanksgiving Maureen to you and your family!
Maureen, Thank you for the heart-touching lesson in gratitude.
Thanks very much for stopping by during this busy holiday week! Your comments have blessed me. 🙂
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