With Thanksgiving rapidly approaching I began to think about how thankful I am. Let me start by encouraging you to let thankfulness reign in your hearts on a daily basis and not just on Thanksgiving. One of the things I love most about Neil is that he is thankful on a daily basis. Every day I'm guaranteed to hear him thank God for something in our lives. There are so many blessings to be thankful for in life and I will get to those. But, this Thanksgiving I don't hesitate to be thankful for all the trials as well. Being thankful for trials may sound strange to some people, but by faith we may know God loves us and we trust He knows what He is doing. Therefore, we can then rejoice even in tribulation. "...but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (Romans 5:3-5). For through the trials is where we are most apt to grow and gain knowledge. Even gold is purified through fire. This year has been unique. It's been filled with blessings and trials and many of the blessings wouldn't have come if I didn't experience the trials.
Now for my blessings: I am thankful for the love of God that fills my life with hope, love, peace, and joy. I am thankful for a loving and supportive husband who loves me unconditionally and who not only makes me laugh but loves to hear me laugh. And above all a husband who prays, believes, and seeks God with me wholeheartedly. I am thankful for the opportunity to have had my son even if our visit was short. Seven months and two hours with him was better than a lifetime on earth without him. I am thankful that one day we will be united forever. I am thankful for all the good his life brought. I am thankful for loving parents who exhibit nothing but humbleness, love, and gratitude. I am thankful for my siblings and extended family who always pull together on life's roller coaster ride. I am thankful that no matter the circumstance we are a family that sticks together. I am thankful that nothing is too big for love to handle. I am thankful for my friends who stick closer than a brother.
Lastly, I am thankful that we all have something to be thankful for: family, friends, health, salvation, food, water, shelter, sunshine.......
"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations" (Psalm 100: 4, 5).
