Sin Pavo, Con Gratitud

Happy belated Thanksgiving!  My first holiday (not counting Halloween) away from home and boy was it a challenge.  To say the least, Thanksgiving is one gringo holiday that doesn’t translate here—so no turkey for me :(  On the bright side, celebrating this tradition on my own really forced me to look at this day for what it is: a day to be thankful and to give thanks to God for everything.  I especially enjoy the challenge from today’s reading in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young:

“… A life of praise and thankfulness becomes a life filled with miracles.  Instead of trying to be in control, you focus on Me and what I am doing.  This is the power of praise: centering your entire being in Me.  This is how I created you to live, for I made you in My own image.  Enjoy abundant life by overflowing with praise and thankfulness” (p. 346).  

So, to continue on in this spirit, I’d just like to take some time to say what I’m thankful for this year:

• I’m thankful that I am never alone and that no matter where I go or what I do, God is always forever here beside me.  For me, this message has never been louder than in these past two months, especially when I feel stranded in a foreign world.
• I’m thankful for the amazing support I’ve received from my family, my friends, and my church.  I cannot express enough gratitude for this incredible blessing in my life.  If God is my anchor in the endless sea of life, you guys are the neighboring boats that drive too fast and send waves to upset my calm waters and, in general, make life that much more exciting  :)
• I’m thankful for the doors that God continues to open for me, ever so gently (and sometimes more forcefully) pulling me in one direction or another.  Just when I begin to flounder or feel lost, He’s there to guide me and to sustain me.
• I’m thankful for the wonderful education I’ve received in my life, both formally and informally, and how it has prepared me for experiencing new things.  I’m especially thankful that I’ve learned how to be open minded and willing to try new things and go to new places (even though it terrifies me sometimes!).
• I’m thankful for technology and how it makes it so easy to stay connected to all those I love.
• I’m thankful for the patience everyone here has for me and the grace they have extended towards me as I continue to adjust and adapt to life here.
• I’m thankful for a year of good health, not just for me but for those around me.  Life is so precious and it is so easy to forget what a gift it is.

I could go on and on for God’s blessings never cease.  The challenge now for me and for us all is to raise our voices in gratitude to Our Father and pray that we can truly appreciate how blessed we are.  I’d like to close with this scripture passage: 

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3: 15-17

Thanks and stay tuned!