Always Giving Thanks

History declares that the first Thanksgiving was held by the pilgrims in the 17th century.  At that time, it wasn't considered or even called Thanksgiving, it was just a harvest celebration shared with the Wampanoag Indian tribe.  In 1623, the Pilgrims did hold what they called "Thanksgiving" - a religious day of prayer and fasting.  Over the years, the two events became linked, and it was celebrated as a Thanksgiving feast.  George Washington originally declared that Thanksgiving be observed on the last Thursday of November in 1789.  However, it wasn't until 1863 that Abraham Lincoln actually declared it a national holiday.

This is how I've always thought of Thanksgiving; a day to be thankful for all that we have.  But then I saw this sign, "Thanksgiving is not a holiday; it's a lifestyle."  I've never really thought of it this way.  I mean...yes, I know we are to be thankful, and I do thank God each day.  But maybe we do need to remember to make sure that we're thanking Him in every little thing - no matter how we feel - we are to thank God.  God tells us "In every thing give thanks..." (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Sarah Young, author of "Jesus Calling", writes "You give God thanks regardless of your feelings, and He gives you joy regardless of your circumstances".  In other words, whether we feel like thanking God or not, we need to do it.  Then when hard times hit, we'll have God's joy.  "Thankfulness opens your heart to God's presence and your mind to His thoughts".

So, during this Thanksgiving season and all through the year, I challenge you, as well as myself, to thank God even when we're not "feeling" it.

"Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything..."
                        Ephesians 5:20

Walk With Jesus

Used to think You didn't care,
I, was just a pawn in the game You were playin'
Puttin' walls up everywhere
Never thought You heard a word I was prayin'

I stood in the way
When I needed to run to You
But I was too proud to say

Take away the blindness
Lead me through the dark
Don't let me fall apart
Save me from my bitterness
Show me who I am
Make me who You want me to be
I know I pushed You away
Lookin' for someone to blame, yeah
Now I can see, I've been my own worst enemy

Who was I to sit and judge?
Always pointing my crooked finger
Holding tight onto a grudge
All along I was a chief of sinners

I stood in the way
When I needed to run to You
Lord, I was too proud to say

Take away the blindness
Lead me through the dark
Don't let me fall apart
Save me from my bitterness
Show me who I am
Make me who You want me to be
I know I pushed You away
Lookin' for someone to blame, yeah
Now I can see, I've been my own worst enemy

No You never gave up on me!
No You never gave up on me!
No You never gave up on me!

Take away the blindness
Lead me through the dark
Don't let me fall apart
Save me from my bitterness
Show me who I am
Make me who You want me to be
I know I pushed You away
Lookin' for someone to blame, yeah
Now I can see, I've been my own worst enemy
Oh oh!
Now I can see, I've been my own worst enemy
Oh, oh!
Now I can see, I've been my own worst enemy

No You never gave up on me!
No You never gave up on me!
No You never gave up on me!

As some of you may know, this is a song by the Christian group, Newsboys.  It's not only one of my favorites, I feel like it's a life-saving message for me.  You see I did do this.  I pushed God away more than I realized.  And though this is hard for me to admit, because I'm so ashamed, I did feel like a pawn in God's game.  But instead of running away from God, I should've have been running to God.

I've been saved for many years now, but I don't think I ever truly grew in the Lord.  A few years ago I started reading a devotional book by Sarah Young called "Jesus Calling".  I thank my precious Mother for giving me this book.  I felt like Jesus was actually talking to me, and the more I read, the more time I spent with Him, the closer we became.  Now I have a real relationship with my Father.  We talk every morning as we walk together on "our own little beach".  I'm still not perfect, but I have grown so much closer to my Lord.

I pray that you have a beautiful relationship with God.  There's nothing in this world that will make you happier.

Just Breathe

In All Things

With the beginning of November, I always think of Thanksgiving.  And although we should give thanks every day, it seems that this month makes me especially mindful of all I have to be thankful for.

I have my family, my friends, my health, and most of all, I have my relationship with my Lord.  I'm thankful each and every morning for the time I have to spend with Him.  I'm thankful that He gave His life for me so that I might be saved and could spend eternity with Him. I'm thankful that He wants a relationship with me.

I'm thankful for the sunrises the Lord gives me and for the beautiful sunsets He paints for me every afternoon.  I'm thankful for the very breath He gives me.  There truly is so much to be thankful for, and we need to really sit and think about this
sometimes.  And while I don't always do this myself, I do believe that "the most beautiful way to start and end the day is with a grateful heart".

I challenge you this month to really stop and think about all you have to be grateful for.

"In all things give thanks..."
1 Thessalonians 5:18