Grateful For What Isn't

I love holidays.   They call me to  pause and reflect about  things that I need to remember all the time and not just one day or season of the year.   Thanksgiving is no exception.    Perhaps some celebrate Thanksgiving because of the feast before them or because of the time away from work or even because it is the beginning of the holiday shopping season  What I appreciate most about the Thanksgiving holiday is found in the name of the holiday itself.   Thanksgiving.  I appreciate being reminded of the goodness and graciousness that God has given me in this year and this life. 

Recently, I opened a letter from a health care provider  in our area that shared good news.  The tests provided a good report.  There was no sign of cancer or any other serious illness.  It got me thinking about  thanksgiving in a different way.   Some times I give thanks to God for what is and sometimes I give thanks to God for what isn’t.   

Yes,   I give thanks to  God for all there is in my life.  There is food to eat, a home to live in, and clothes on my back.   Yes,  I give thanks for a wonderful wife to share life with and for all our family.  Yes, I give thanks for the holy priviledge that is mine to be a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am blessed beyond measure for what is.

Yet, there are  times that I give thanks to God for what isn’t.   I give thanks that when I gather to worship there isn’t a  legal authority forbidding me to assemble to worship the Lord.  I give thanks that I opened a letter that told me there was no cancer, and that I am not in the hospital or a long term medical facility.    Sometimes, I thank God for what isn’t.

Whatever this Thanksgiving holds for you,  I encourage you to join me in taking time to pause and reflect on what is and isn’t in your life that causes thanksgiving and gratitude to swell up in you.   Have a great Thanksgiving and a blessed week.-   Pastor Randy Wall

            Prayer: All praise, glory, honor, and thanksgiving be to you, mighty God.   Thank you for all your goodness that goes far beyond what I deserve.  Praise your holy name;   through Christ our Lord.   Amen.