Being Thankful

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Ephesians 5:20
 
As I was preparing this I began to think about the situation that many families find themselves in.  There are so many families that still are displaced after hurricanes and storms. Even right now as I write this there are people that are planning to go to some soup kitchen or to some food bank or maybe have to go seek some type of aid to have a Thanksgiving dinner.
 
And then there are the emotional and spiritual storms. Many times at Thanksgiving there are families that are torn apart by the storms of life.  There are families right now that will gather around tables and give thanks for food, but there is strife.  There are things going on in families that make it difficult to come together and sit down to eat and fellowship.
 
But we can still be thankful.  1 Thessalonians 5:18 says “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”.   There are things we take for granted that other people would look at as a luxury.  A lot of times we take it for granted that we have a roof over our heads, three meals, and a warm bed to sleep in.  A lot of these things we take for granted and never think about it.  Most of us will sit down with our families and eat turkey, dressing, cakes, and pies, without having to stand in a line at a food bank.  Many of us will laugh and talk with our families and loved ones, while others can only wish that they could see their loved ones again. 
 
If we take the time, I am sure we will see things to be thankful for.  Maybe we don’t have a care in the world, and life is good or maybe things are not so good. Maybe the food was hard to come by, but at least we do have food.  Maybe the family situation is difficult, but at least we have family.  Maybe we feel like we’re at the end of our rope, but there is a rope, and even at the end, God will not leave you.  Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
 
Today, whatever your situation, I pray that you can see how God has blessed you and be thankful. As Paul said in Ephesians 5:20, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
~ J. T.