Thanksgiving Thoughts
I recently read a quote that really resonated with me. I’ve been thinking about it for the last few weeks and wanted to share it with you today.
“You can be walking a hard and narrow road, wondering why others have what seems like an easier road, a softer pillow, a bigger smile, with all the lovely people and the picture-perfect life and all the large love you’ve always dreamed of, without any of the mangled, raised scars you bear or the tangled downtrodden way you’re on. But you can also look to the sky and say: ‘You who have given me every breath, don’t owe me more, You who have given me one day, don’t owe me two, You who have given me every single heartbeat for every single second I have ever known, You don’t owe me anything…
How much life will ever be enough life, how much good will ever be enough good, how much God will ever be enough for us? If He actually is the only One who ever loved us to death – and then back to the realest and forever and ever life through His love, isn’t this more than we could ever ask for?” – Ann Voskamp
As Thanksgiving approaches, I’ve been reflecting on the past year and trying to get my heart to a place of gratitude. 2020 was bittersweet for me. It was a time when I was struggling with both my physical and mental health. It was dark and ugly. During that period, I could not see goodness. I could not find joy. I let fear overtake me and drag me down.
Though I still find it painful to relive the memories of the past year, I can also see glimpses of goodness. Goodness in a God who heard my prayers. Goodness in a husband who never left my side, and in friends and family who helped me day by day.
Looking back, some of the most valuable lessons in my life have come through the darkest seasons. I’ve learned that that life is what you make it. I’ve learned that controlling your heart and mind doesn’t just happen on its own. And that every day is a gift no matter what it contains.
So often my heart is focused on comfort. On only wanting the good gifts, the happy times, and the easy paths. But should I not also gratefully accept the bad? I am drawn to quick, and simple fixes in life, but maybe that’s not actually best. Maybe there is beauty in pain. Maybe there is joy in lessons learned through suffering. Maybe what is best comes from things that are hard. And maybe I can find gratitude even in the worst situations.
My goal this year is to be grateful no matter the circumstances. To humbly accept each day and what it offers without asking for more.
I hope that by reading this, you will be encouraged in whatever phase of life you are in. There will be good days and bad, but it’s how we choose to accept them that truly matters. May we hold open hands to receive whatever God gives. May we choose thanksgiving every day.
Thanks for reading,
Abby
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