"O' Give Thanks"

The season of Thanksgiving is upon us. Today many will sit with their families and enjoy a specially prepared meal. The atmosphere will be festive and filled with laughter and joy. The season brings with it many emotions for all. Many have lost loved ones and are feeling the pain of grief as they remember and reflect on what once was. This is a time to reflect and to be grateful in spite of. It is okay to remember and to allow yourself to feel the emotions that come with it. As I sit today and reflect on my life I realize that I am not in charge. You might ask; how can one be grateful at a time like this? How can I celebrate the season of Thanksgiving when my heart is broken? It is not easy. I can speak from my own personal experiences. Loss and grief especially during the holidays can be very difficult. The weight of grief at times can feel like a blanket that covers one making it difficult to move forward. Times like this cause one to find moments of solitude and rest. I think about Jesus and how he responded to grief in scripture. He simply wept.(John 11:35) He loved Lazarus and by the time He arrived his friend had died. He felt the pain of grief even as our sovereign Lord. He understands our pain and knows the effect it has on our lives. He was authentic with how He was feeling. We too must allow ourselves to feel and to process the pain of grief. There is no time table for grieving. However, one thing that has helped me during this process is giving thanks to God. Psalm 106:1 reads “Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good: His love endures forever.” I am thankful to God for everything; even the painful things in my life. I know there is a purpose for everything God allows to enter my life. Take each day with grace. Do not rush the process; let God restore your heart and mind. I want to share a quote from the boo“Change Matters”; written by Patrick J. Brown. It states; “Thanksgiving in the midst of pain may not alleviate the pain, but it gives strength to endure that pain.” Each day will get better. You will get stronger by the day, moment by moment. Give thanks to God each day and you will find strength. Take time to remember those who are grieving during this season. May this season of thanksgiving overflow with the love of Christ.