Tag: thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

This holiday, created by the Pilgrims in 1621 and made official by President Lincoln in 1863, evokes many types of emotions.

Thankfulness to God for all He provides, including food and shelter.

Thankfulness for our family and friends.

Thankfulness for our great country and the freedom she gives.

Deep down thankfulness for every blessing in our lives.

But what about the icky parts? The ones you’re not thankful for?

Give thanks anyway.

Thank God for keeping you safe within the storm.

Thank God for giving you His peace when your world seems anything but.

Thank God for filling you with HIs joy when yours has walked out the door.

Thank God even if. Because ‘even if’ still includes God.

Your world may look dark, but God is light. He’s your light in the darkness.

God will forever lead you down the path He has for you. Faithfully.

He will never leave your side in good times and bad. Period.

He stands with you, surrounding you with Himself.

And that is something we can all be very thankful for.

Photos by Thibault Mokuenko, Libby Penner, Debby Hudson, & Autumn Mott Rodeheaver on Unsplash

Others Focused

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31

Do you demand others treat you better than you treat them?

Do you walk like a diva, demanding others serve you?

Or do you put others first, seeking their needs above your own?

Jesus wants us to do just that.

To serve others.

To put others before ourselves.

Think about Thanksgiving.

Were you among the first in line?

Save the best roll for yourself?

Or did you defer to your guests, thinking of them higher than yourself?

How about your home?

Did you help your guests feel welcome?

Or wished they had stayed somewhere else?

When family showed up for dinner, did you demand they remove their shoes?

Or did you welcome them however they came?

Jesus wants us to think of others before ourselves.

Not always easy, but it’s what He asks of us.

My husband’s precious parents are staying with us for a week.

It’s such an absolute treat.

Even if I’m sleeping in the basement.

My time with them is precious because they live hundreds of miles away.

Only see them them once a year.

Family is simply the best.

Seeing my adult children over Thanksgiving was a total joy.

Do you want their memory of you to be full of angst for the next holiday or anticipation for the next time they join you?

Choose Jesus.

Choose people over perfection.

Choose people over performance.

Choose relationship over deadlines.

Jesus invited people into relationship because that mattered over perfect homes.

As you review your plans this holiday season, ask yourself this question: how do you want to be treated?

And treat others how you want to be treated. As kings and queens.

Photos by Virginia Simionato and Gillian Lingard on Unsplash

Teeny Tiny Thanks

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11

Thanksgiving, a time to be thankful.

We have SO much to be thankful to God for.

Life, our very breath breathed from God Himself.

Family, those to whom we would do anything to help.

Another day, pregnant with possibilities.

God, the creator of ALL things, who whispers His love to us every day.

Worship music, which allows us a tiny glimpse of worshipping God in heaven.

Nourishment for our mortal bodies as we keep walking on this earth.

Pure water, filling our teeny cells with life.

The Bible, which, when opened, allows us to see the very heart of God.

Shelter from the storms of life, whether a home, room, or cozy dorm.

Paychecks from our jobs, which allow the bills to be paid on time.

Blessings, which look different for us all, but every single one is precious, nonetheless.

Coffee, the drink from God, which allows us to do all He asks of us.

Kidding, kind’ve.

Wisdom from on High, which helps us choose just what He wants us to do.

Peace from God, which passes ALL understanding when considering what path we sometimes walk.

Pure joy, the fruit of the Spirit most unexplainable.

When we have joy in the midst of life’s sufferings, the world notices.

Joy in the storm proves God is above it all.

And He is.

Above it all.

God is above our wants and desires.

He is above our family.

God is above our past, present, and future.

God is our ultimate thanksgiving prayer.

God, who created ALL things, wants me.

He wants all of us to be His.

Surrender afresh again to Him alone.

And with thanksgiving, give Him your very self.

He will faithfully fill you with enough to not only survive, but thrive.

And thank Him for the hurt.

For the ugly.

For when we are in the midst of the fire, we see You more clearly.

We see Your suffering for us on the cross.

We see our human need for You.

We are humbled once again as we seek Your face.

So, yes, we are thankful, very thankful for the churning seas of life.

Thank you, God, for all You do for us, the good and the ugly.

We could not even breathe without You.

To You, everything we owe.

And we are so very thankful.

Photos by Simon Maage, Volodymyr Hryshchenko, & Ryan Christodoulou on Unsplash