"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,
continue to live in Him,
rooted and built up in Him,
strengthened in the faith as you were taught,
and overflowing with thankfulness." Col. 2:7
It isn't always easy to be thankful - when getting a flat tire (right, Mindy???) or in the face of cancer, like my dear friend Debbie. Or facing the holidays without a toddler.
But - "since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe" Hebrews 12:28
God IS good, He IS kind, He IS just. He IS in control. And He is ALWAYS present and there to help us during those hard times. I have to trust Him. This world can be a hard place to live, but we can rejoice in Him and also we look forward to the Kingdom to come that He is preparing! I just read that when we go to that heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God we will "come upon thousands and thousands of angels in joyful assembly". (Hebrews 12:22) You usually don't envision angels laughing and being joyful. But that is what it says! It will be such a wonderful place!!
In 1863, Abraham Lincoln stated: "The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come....They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God...I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States...to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens." (He declared this holiday while the civil war was going on!)
So we celebrate!
Here is my mom's famous, fabulously decorated turkey that she makes every year.
And pies! Jill made apple and I made the pecan and pumpkin.
Mom, Dad and Aunt Millie.
We had Jill and Adam's friends, the Petersons too. They are going to France as missionaries with Avant. They have 4 kids and 1 on the way! The house was brimming with happy sounds of children last night!
The kids enjoyed playing together!
Today I tear down Fall decorations. Ready for a new season. The grateful heart continues as we celebrate His greatest gift to us!! His Son, Jesus!
