November is the traditional month for being thankful in the USA, mainly due to harvesting of crops. If you live in Canada, your Thanksgiving is in October; I am not sure about other countries around the world. I think it is sad that we have just one month to remind us to be thankful. We should be thankful every minute of every day for the blessings God has given us!
I don’t think we can be thankful without trusting God to be in total control of our lives. 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 says: “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I absolutely love that I belong to Jesus! It brings such comfort and relief knowing that He wants only the best for me. We have to look at our circumstances from God’s perspective and trust in His Perfect Will!
1 Peter 5:10: “In His kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered for a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and place you on a firm foundation.” So even though we are struggling somewhat with Covid, elections, violence, and unsure about our future here and now, we can take great comfort and be ever so thankful that our true everlasting future is in Heaven with God and Jesus.
James 1:12 (ESV) “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” We need to remain steadfast in our thankfulness no matter what our circumstances.
So as the song goes: “Count Your blessings name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God has done!”
Nancy Wadman
Nancy is currently the Interim Ministry Coordinator for Spiceland Friends Church. She has been a member at SFC for 23 years and loves her church family! She retired from Tri Elementary School in 2014 after teaching 6th grade for 39 years. In her free time, Nancy loves to travel and walk the trails at Summit Lake with her dog, Gracie!