November 16, 2006

THANKSGIVING REMINDERS


All evidence to the contrary, Parson’s Wife is up and at it – just 
waaaaaaay behind in my writings.  For that I apologize and will try to do 
better … I promise.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday yet again, just some random 
thoughts that I trust will perhaps draw a nod of agreement, an “Oh, I 
hadn’t thought about that,” or maybe even an “Ugh, I have to do that too?”.

Giving thanks is so easy, right?  There are a million blessings that we 
can tick off – our spouse, our children, our grandchildren (we can do 
that one this year for the first time!  Danielle Kristine Gleason was 
born to Drew & Katherine on July 4th!  Pictures available upon request!), 
extended family, friends, our home, etc.  Then we remember to add the 
mercies of God, the sacrifice of Jesus, the powerful Word of God, our 
church, etc.  Perhaps then we think to include  our jobs and that can 
take us down another whole list of things for which we are thankful.  And 
all of that is as it should be.  But Friend, those are the easy “thank 
yous.”  But God’s Word says to be thankful in all things – not just the 
easy ones.

OK, let’s continue thinking.  Are you giving thanks this season for the 
times God’s spared you – maybe while driving, or from getting the flu 
when all your co-workers had it, or the money you saved by getting the 
car serviced before it really broke, or the good report from the doctor 
when you feared the worst, and on and on?  I can’t imagine those things 
that God spared you from, but if you think, you will recall, and now 
you’ll remember to give thanks for those things as well.

Now, a little tougher.  How about for the illness or injury you or your 
loved ones are currently suffering, or the job you lost, or the car 
accident that you did have, or the loss of a friend or loved one to death?  
Are you thankful for those things too?  God’s Word says you must be.

And perhaps hardest of all, hurts to me emotionally.  Times when I’ve 
been lied to or let down by a friend or loved one.  Or the wounds caused 
by a fractured relationship – one I can’t fix but still hurts so much.  
Or the voids left in my life by the absence of a spouse, child, parent 
or other loved one because of death or just physical absence due to 
time or distance.  All of these hurts are also worthy of thanksgiving.  
“Why you ask?”  Because God says so.

There is something that happens in my spirit when I begin to give 
thanks – remember, God does not tell us to “feel” thankful in all things, 
just to “give” thanks in all things.  There is a big difference.  One is 
my emotional response, the other is a response prompted by my choice to 
be obedient.  When I choose to be obedient and give thanks for which 
emotionally I am not thankful, God’s spirit begins to intervene and 
change my heart so that eventually, I do also begin to feel thankful.  And 
when that happens, a burden indescribable is lifted from my heart and 
soul, and finally, shouts of joy can be heard and songs of thanksgiving 
sung from the rooftops.  And now, because the Lord has proven himself 
faithful once again, I have something else for which to be thankful!

And on and on goes the cycle.  Try it, I know you will like the 
results, maybe not always the process, but every time you will love the 
results!


Until next time … love and prayers, 

RuthAnn Gleason, the Parson's Wife
ragleason123@yahoo.com