I Get to GIVE Thanks

Thanksgiving or Thanksgetting?

My youngest introduced me to this new word a few days ago. He said he had heard a radio DJ saying that we should remember that it's Thanksgiving and not Thanksgetting. I thought that was a pretty clever word to come up with, and, of course, I agreed with his sentiments. Then, last night, my husband showed me an actual ad for Verizon wireless that said something along the lines of, 'Come Celebrate Thanksgetting with Verizon and get a great deal.' I couldn't believe it. 

This is a mindset that can 'get' us into trouble pretty quickly. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks! In our family, Thanksgiving has always been a day that we forget about our lack and focus on all that we do have. It resets our focus, and, suddenly, the pile of bills, the unfinished business, the overload of school work, and the pile of laundry don't seem to matter as much. 

I understand that we all have some sort of void in our lives. Maybe it's peace or hope. Maybe it's finances or family or friends. Perhaps your marriage is suffering or someone you love is sick. Maybe your children aren't with you this Thanksgiving. Maybe you're missing a loved one and that empty chair  wants to steal your joy. Don't let it. Don't let lack 'get' you this Thanksgiving. Shift your focus to all that you do have. Don't wait for Christmas to thank God for giving His only son in hopes to gain you as His forever child. 

We all have things we'd like to get. For starters, I'd like my son to be here with us for Thanksgiving. I don't say that to make anyone feel like 'Wow, with what that family is going through how can I ever complain?' Because I know that what you are going through is real, and it hurts. I'm the one who lost her son, and I STILL get frustrated over petty things sometimes. Yesterday, I was crying over what seems like spilled milk in the grand scheme of it all. I am still human. Of course, there are times I wonder what is taking God so long in working everything out in our lives! But, my husband so lovingly reminded me last night that we have SO much to be thankful for. And, I will say, if we can choose to see that - so can you.

This Thanksgiving, choose with us. Choose to give thanks in everything and for everything. Maybe it won't diminish the needs in your life, but it will diminish the power they have over you. 

I'm thankful for so much this morning: my loving husband and all four of our amazing kids, for my other family and my friends who ARE family, for my pastors and my church, and my amazing work environment, for coffee, for sweatpants and so much more. But, mostly, I'm thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ and the hope I have in Him. Even though it's been pretty dim the last two Thanksgivings, His light has shone for us. Because He gave, I get to give thanks for eternal life in Him. 

Happy ThanksGIVING from our family to yours!

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.“ John 3:16