I have to be honest, I have been struggling with writing lately. I guess you would call it writer’s block? But I am just going to assume that God just hasn’t wanted me to write anything lately. I told myself when I started this that I wanted each blog to be something that I was sure God wanted me to share, and I pray over each one before I click that ‘publish’ button.
This morning, however, I felt the need to write about giving thanks. About giving thanks in the year 2020. About giving thanks in this pandemic that has touched so many lives. I feel like we have so much to be angry about, to complain about, to grieve about and be just plain upset about. But I also feel like we have a lot to be thankful for!! And in no way is it my intention to take away from those that have lost. To those that have lost, I’m so sorry and I pray for you daily. I ask God to ease your pain, give you peace and take care of you.
So what do we have to be thankful for? When I try and think on this question for myself, I think of ‘time’. It’s been so long since I have had this much time. And some might think that is a bad thing. I know some that love to keep busy all the time! And our world basically tells us that if we are not busy doing things, than we must be lazy!! So where does that leave time for our families? Our friends? For time with Jesus? For time to read the word?
I’ve got to admit that at first I was like, what am I going to do with all this time? What can I make myself busy with? I’m working from home now, I hardly ever get out anymore. Maybe I will work on my house! I can do something in the backyard! OH! I know! I can start sewing again! But I kept feeling this tug at my heart to read my bible more. So, I dropped a lot of those things I was keeping busy with, and started reading the word. And I’m so grateful for that tugging I felt, because I’ve never been this close to God. I’ve never felt more spiritually grown. I’ve never had this much hope! Hope in the middle of all of this craziness and uncertainty. This is peace beyond all understanding! Because of this time coupled with this hope, my heart has more time and room for the other things in life that I may have been too busy for before this pandemic.
So, I’m thankful for this time. Time that, if I’m honest, I probably would have never taken on my own. Time at home, time with my family, time with myself, and time with Jesus!
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the sovereign Lord my refuge; and I will tell of all your deeds. Psalm 73:28
But it’s also so easy for me to get caught up in the bad news of the world. I mean, I turn on the TV, and it seems like there is NEVER any good… especially on the news. Even our commercials lately have been politicians putting each other down and creating division, just so they will be elected and have power. It’s almost like someone doesn’t want anyone to get along, or be happy. Like someone wants to create all this havoc for his own reasons. I’m pretty sure that someone is the devil.
I’ve come to realize that I’m actually starting to be thankful for that constant bad news. YUP! I’m thankful for those politicians. I’m thankful for the news and the misleading news. You know why? It has pushed me further into a closer relationship with Jesus. I have never hungered for the truth more than I do in these days. I have never wanted love from an everlasting, never forsaking, trustworthy father like I do these days. I have never wanted to look at my own thoughts and my own self beliefs more than I have these days. I have never wanted to love people, against all efforts of the devil trying to create hatred, more than I do now. So take that satan!!! And in a world full of hatred, anger, and fear, isn’t that what Jesus would have his children do right now? Love each other? Be the light?
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Ephesians 5:8-11
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
So, this year, I’m thankful for different things. I mean, I’m still thankful for my home, my job, to be able to live where I live. But no other Thanksgiving holiday, no other year I’ve lived through, has ever taught me just how thankful I am for time. For the time I’ve had with Jesus. The time I’ve had to read my bible. The time I’ve had getting closer to my church and worship family. The time I’ve had at home with my youngest son. (He’s our last kid at home, so I’m treasuring it.) The time I’ve had with my husband. The time I’ve had to grow in a way I never have before. Thank you Jesus!
I pray that you all have a safe, healthy, and loving Thanksgiving this year. I pray that you know Jesus and if you don’t, please reach out to me and I can talk to you about Him. He loves you so much! And He has never stopped working for our good and loving us. And, lastly, I wish this blessing for you all…
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face towards you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
Jesus Loving Blonde 