Thanksgiving 2007

11/22/2007

We give thanks on this day, in many different homes, in many different ways… But in talking with a friend the other day, she wanted the thanks around her table this year to go beyond what we can see, what we can touch, what we think is important here on earth…she wanted to let their thanks focus on the eternal.

I had to agree with her, not because we are not thankful for all that God has given us here, all that He has blessed us with--but because when we start with eternal thanks, it gives an even greater richness to what this life contains. When our focus is on the Heavenly promises of God, things become clearer on this earth… We start to realize what’s important, what’s worth our time, what’s worth our effort, what we’re even doing here…we gain a new perspective on this life.

I stirred up some “Pink Stuff” this morning for our Thanksgiving dinner at my sister and brother-in-law’s house later today. As I did so, Jim watched me, and then he asked me, “Is it hard to make that?” Of course I knew what he meant…do the memories of years gone by, of now living without our son, Phil, on this earth, become painful as you put together something that he loved—a family recipe that was always included on his favorite day of the year? My answer to Jim was, “No…it’s not really painful anymore, it more just is what it is…we can’t fight against what we cannot change.”

Oh, we want to, as human beings. There is so much about this life that is so very difficult, and somewhere inside of us we think that if we rear up against it, we can make it go away… Some things we can change, but some things we can’t. It doesn’t mean we have to like what is, but it does mean we have to learn to live with what is, and the only way to truly do that is to know our Lord. It reminds me of that famous prayer:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Today brings a peace to my heart, a serenity, not because of the things I want to change, but can’t, but because there’s one thing that never changes, God. He is the same yesterday, today and forever…and as we try to cling to things that will give us some hope, some assurance, some sense of peace as we travel through this life, perhaps our prayer should be, “Lord, I know everything changes, people, places, jobs, health, hopes, and even dreams, but You alone are our Rock and we can always depend on You to be exactly Who You say You are.” There is a great peace in knowing that.

Nothing in this life is for sure except for the Hope we have in Jesus Christ. When we start with our Savior, when we give Him our thanks first and foremost, we can embrace all the rest of His blessings on this day in the way the Lord intended…giving God all the glory and all the praise, knowing everything belongs to Him and as His children, the inheritance is ours to enjoy.

My heart goes out to all those who are having a hard time seeing those blessings through the tears today. Having had a shattered heart through loss, I am now in touch with many who would like to change what is on this day, but cannot. Having been there, I know that the only true encouragement in such devastation is in the unchanging fact that our Savior lives, and because He does, a great reunion awaits all those who do believe!

The following poem is for those who need something, anything, on this day…to be encouraged in the eternal Hope of our Lord, Jesus Christ. If that’s not you on this day, if this is a good day, a great day, a day full of laughter and fun and family…that’s awesome! But if this speaks to you, or to someone you know on this day, I pray that it may be a glimmer of light in the darkness that surrounds…

I say “Happy Thanksgiving” to all of you today with a confident joy in my heart because of the changes that come by getting to know the One Who will never change! In Him we can have an assurance of a plentiful eternal life, one that can start on this day! Because of those promises, we can truly give thanks.

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father,
who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a
shifting shadow. James 1:17 (NLT)

When the Day is Difficult…

How do we give thanks
When those we love are gone
How do we say thank you Lord
How do we stay strong

When hearts today are broken
When lives are torn apart
How do we say thank you
How do we even start

Help us Lord to know You
To know You even care
Help us Lord to trust You
When it seems no trust is there

Help us to keep breathing
When we would rather stop
Help us to always look to You
When we would rather not

As we gather ‘round the table
Together, holding hands
Offering up our thanks Lord
Help us see Your eternal plan

For what is set before us
Can confuse and cause such fear
Help us Lord to see You
When our eyes are filled with tears

We may not know the reasons
We may not know the whys
Why some this day are missing
Why some we love have died

But when this day is over
And all’s been put away
Help us to offer thanks to You
When it’s the toughest thing to say

For in our thanks there’s victory
The devil will be put in his place
And what he meant for harm
Can be stuck right back in his face

For Jesus died to give us
What the devil tried to steal
Eternal life with our Eternal God
It’s very true and it’s very real

When there’s nothing else we can cling to
When it seems there’s no thanks to give
Help us focus our thoughts on Heaven
And be thankful that our Savior lives!!
                      (Diane C. Shore Nov. 2007)

I weep with grief; encourage me by your word. Psalm 119:2 (NLT)