“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.” –A.W. Tozer
Pumpkin-spice and peppermint-flavored ... two evidences we are in a special season. As we once again dive into the Holidays, which includes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and then New Years Day, I want to take just a moment to encourage you to pause and consider just how good God has been to you over this past year.
While there have been many challenges for us, as well as the entire world over the past many months, God is still good! Once again, such tragedies as the one in Waukesha, WI, have reminded of the fragility of life and that we should do our best to value our loved ones.
In her characteristic wisdom Elizabeth Elliot reminds us we can celebrate our needs because, “God has promised to supply all our needs. What we don’t have now, we don’t need now.” God now only knows what we need - our Heavenly Father is supremely aware of what we don’t need!
I believe the Holiday Season doesn't need to be filled with stress and anxiety when we realize the Purpose for celebrating these wonderful times of the year! November brings us the simple reminder that thankfulness is truly the kind of spirit we are to have, and this thankfulness will be more meaningful when we are both thankful to those around us, as well as our God above us.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 directs us, “…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I encourage you to really focus on this spirit of thanksgiving in advance of all these Holidays, and I really believe God will give you a tremendous appreciation for the Christ of Christmas as well. More than the “tinsel and the toys”, and more than “bustle and the noise”, is the realization that Jesus came to earth over 2000 years ago for you and I to know the blessed gift of Salvation!
So, get out there and enjoy the Holiday Season!