Thanksgiving.......
We have been told over and over again....."Boy, do you and your family have lots to be thankful for this year!" And they are right! Yes, we have endless blessings that God has poured out to us. But....this year is not special. God did not give us an "extra helping" this time. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the same GOOD, FAITHFUL, LOVING, MERCIFUL, SOVEREIGN, and HOLY God today as He was March 1st. When things are good, we usually have lots to be thankful for.....thus loving this holiday. However, when times are tough, we generally get a selfish attitude and shake our fist at God. "How could You possibly be allowing this in my life?" I continually am learning from Todd, but one truth in particular is this: We are not to be thankful to God simply for what all He has done for us.....but rather, solely for WHO HE IS!!!!
Sure, it IS easy to thank Him when times are good. Right now in our life...things are wonderful! Caed is healing, we are home, and now can enjoy being together as a family. I have SO MUCH to be thankful for! I couldn't even begin to scratch the surface if I started making a list right now. But, I have been thinking a lot the last few weeks, we probably would not be hearing the all-familiar comment, "Y'all sure have a lot to be thankful for this year!" if we were still in Nebraska....or if Caed was lying up in a hospital bed.....or our family was continuing to be separated. It is true. That's just the way our human mind works. Good times call for great thanksgiving. But, how about thanking Him for the "not-so-good" times? (boy is this a hard thing to do!!) If we could only have the eternal heavenly viewpoint that God does? If we could only see how our "tough times" are actually those moments He is refining us....making us more like His Son. If we could only see the big picture, and see how this "trial" is but one piece of a beautiful puzzle. I do not have this down!! Trust me.....when things are bad, I quickly find myself with my head stuck in the sand. Worrying and depressed. I believe this is one of those disciplines that we should strive towards here on earth (truly giving thanks in ALL circumstances), but realizing we will never fully attain it because of our sinful nature. It will be a constant battle.
I have no idea the things that you have faced this past year. This could have been one of those "blessing filled" ones! Praise God! However, if it's like ours.....it might have been filled with lots of pain. Whether you are on the "other side" of your trial or smack dab in the middle of it, I pray that today (Thanksgiving), we would THANK HIM for our trials. Recognizing HE is in control.....He loves us (his children) and truly is working ALL things out for GOOD!!!! If we would only believe......................................
Taste and see that the LORD is GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Psalm 34:8)
4 comments:
You are so right, Lori! Everyone has their own various trials, temptations, etc. and what we have viewed as a continual 7 year long trial, has also been a 7 year long blessing as well. God is slowly beginning to open our eyes to that fact more & more. It IS hard to "praise Him through the storm", but what peace comes when we do! I yearn for but a glimpse of His heavenly perspective!!! Happy Thanksgiving, Lori! We love you all!!!!
I have been focusing on Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Especially on the delight yourself part. I think it means delight yourself in all that God does, good and bad, just like you were saying. You guys are such an encouragement to us and I am sure to many others. Continue to delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart! we love you guys!!!
Amen and amen! Sending my love and prayers. Happy Thanksgiving, Hollingsworths!
In His great big love,
Carolyn O'Cain
Being right in the middle of very tough times, it is so hard to feel thankful. Thanks Lori for this perspective-changing message today. We STILL have alot to be grateful for, and just thank God that we are His.
We are so happy to see you guys reunited! Love ya'll, Allison
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