Thanksliving

Goodbye November. Goodbye turkey leftovers, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Good bye Thanksgiving. Hello December. Hello facebook posts of Christmas cheer, goodbye thankful posts.

Wait, do we really have to drop the thankful focus when we turn the calendar?

What if Thanksgiving wasn’t just a holiday but a way of life? What if instead of just “giving thanks” we started “living thanks”?

Yesterday I had a melt down because I discovered that two recent doctor visits cost close to $700.  Christmas is coming and doctor’s bills are not my shopping list.

After I got a grip on my emotions, I realized how grateful I am to live where medical care, no matter how costly, is still readily accessible to me.

I love and serve a God who hasn’t forsaken me and knows my future; and if I’ll need another visit to the doctor.

Feeling like I missed the opportunity to post this blog (my goal was Nov.30) I debated as to whether to finish and post it or not.  After yesterday’s meltdown I knew the answer, and this post took a different direction.  I knew that God wanted me to  live the thanks, not just write about it.

So, this morning I want to live my thanks to God by responding in faith instead of frustration and fear. I want to  trust in his powerful word and his promises. He will never leave me nor forsake me. He loves me with unfailing love. He has plans to give me a hope and a future. He is faithful even when I am faithless.

I want to live out my thanks to him for his love, even when my circumstances might prevent me from “feeling the love”.

I want to live out my thanks by encouraging others in their faith journey.

So here are some of the things I lam thankful for and love most about God:

His mercy is new every morning and his joy can be my strength. He is holy and just.    Patiently he teaches me to trust him. He is the way maker and chain breaker. He has good plans for my life.  He is truth  and peace in confusion and chaos.  In the storm, he gives me hope as an anchor for my soul. He is mine and I am his.

I want to live my thanks for his abundant grace; his divine influence in my heart and it’s reflection in my life. Freely I received it;  freely I purpose to give it to others.

I would love to hear from you. What do you love most about God? How do you “live your thanks”?