The big day for gratitude!!! {Thankful Thursday #288}

 

This is the big one!

The day that focuses on being Thankful for than any other day.

& Before we get started on this - want to give a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER.
He probably has never read my blog ever in the 13 years I've been up & running - but hey, Shout out to him anyways. 

So today, I'm going to just look at the past year & look at the big picture of the things we are blessed with.  Because even in the midst of craziness & feeling like the world is out of control, there's still blessings abound.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

It's been a crazy year & Thanksgiving is looking quite different.
Nothing like I think anyone could have ever imagined.

Even still... I am grateful for:

My family... even though we can't see a lot of them this past year - its always good to know love abounds.  Yes, we miss the hugs & the time spent together... but again BIG PICTURE thinking.

My job ... working from home in the middle of a global pandemic has just been amazingly wonderful. I know so many are struggling and/or out of a job & I never, not one day, take for granted for the incredible firm I work for & what they do for their employees to keep everyone safe.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.   1 Chronicles 16:34

Social Media... yes, it gives me a lot of anxiety, but I've learned what to read, who NOT to read, & I am grateful for the connection it still allows to one another.  Also, I'm thankful for the laughs it has given me.  People that create all the memes & funny comments - they have been such a light to me over the months. I have had actual tears from laughing at some of the funny stuff on social media.

Bible Studies... being rooted in God's Word. What a comfort its been to see what God says to us & for us - knowing that the world has always gone through some crazy situations & it keeps trucking along.

Scientists - Doctors & Nurses- Civil Servants .... I am so grateful for the people who fight to keep us all healthy.  The people who are smart enough to figure out what viruses exist & even smarter to create vaccines that normally take years & they know the seriousness & work tirelessly to help get it under control.  What can we say about the front line workers who deal with a virus that can take their own life.  Yet, they keep working to nurse people back to health. Truly angels on earth.  Especially for the ones that have to hold the hand of the many that pass away without any loved ones around them.  The nurses that step into that spot & give compassion in the worst possible situation... bless them.  & yes, I am grateful for the politicians, the civil servants who do things to try & make us healthy.  I know a lot of people get angry & frustrated at the leaders, but if people would realize they are doing things & taking steps in order to gain control over a virus - not over the American people.  I guarantee they would never shut down their cities for their benefit, or to take away anyone's civil liberties just for the fun of it - they are trying to help a situation that just continues to get out of control. I think its a sad day when people get hate, death threats & all the back lash when they are just trying to protect others.  Bless all the people who have to make the hard decisions.

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;  
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. .... Psalm 9:1

Books, Streaming Services, Crafts.... all the things to distract your mind & take you away from the news for awhile.

The Hubs... I mean, I dont think we've spent more time together since we were dating WAYYyyyyYYYY back in the day. It's good to see we still get along - LOL.  We had some good ole fights discussions during the political season, but we can still sleep in the same bed, & stay under the same roof.  There's a lesson... you CAN disagree about politics & still get along with one another..... But he's been so great where he has been working outside of the house & he calls me every day to see what we need at home so I dont have to go out.  Taking the virus seriously is one thing I'm glad we do agree on.

Our Heavenly Father & the gift of Jesus... you know I wasn't going to end a Thanksgiving post & not give Thanks to the one who makes ALL things possible.  To the One who gives me Hope... the One that comforts me & gives me peace when I get anxious.  The One who reminds me that this is a fallen world & will never be without conflict & this is not our home. The One who reminds me that we are ALL children of His & we should care for one another, no matter what color skin is, no matter what religion, no matter what political party... He loves us all, so we should do the same.

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 3:17

& what would a gratitude list of 2020 be without.... drum roll... TOILET PAPER!!!!  Because we knew it was important, but we never really realize HOW important.  It's like that saying, You dont know what you have until its gone.  We'll never look at it the same way again after 2020

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving
 - especially if you're celebrating differently.
Know that you sacrificing a little for your comfort & enjoyment can cause a huge ripple for someone else's health & safety for future holidays together.

Here's to hopes of a better & healthier 2021!

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