Thanksgiving has always been a special holiday for me. I’m all about cornbread stuffing and pumpkin pie and delicious leftovers and giving thanks. And then there’s that lovely stretch of December ahead with its carol singing and eggnog and decorating and gift wrapping before we celebrate Christ’s birth. Some Thanksgivings it’s easy to have an attitude of gratitude. All is calm and bright, or mostly calm and bright. But some years…
Some of you have lost a dear loved one, are grieving a broken marriage, have a wayward family member, are alone and lonely, have moved, or are living with a diagnosis or facing surgery. Some of you are on hold or have watched a dream die or let go of a job. The list goes on and on. Struggles and heartaches comes in all shapes and sizes and no one is immune. Sometimes life snowballs and you have more on your plate than a simple Thanksgiving feast.
I think about you and what’s happening for you beyond your reading my books. Each of you have full lives with many facets, books being just a tiny part of that. Some of you have prayed for me and my family when we most needed it. I’m very thankful! I pray for you, too. Prayer does more than we ever realize and goes far beyond the limits of our imaginations.
Whatever our current struggles, they’re not eternal. Temporal but not eternal. Maybe that is the heartbeat of this verse, Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Amplified version.
Thankful, still.
Be the first to receive writing updates, try her favorite recipes, and get her FREE guide: 10 Beloved Books (that inspire me professionally and personally).
Thank you.
Those two words say so much, Cindy. In fact, you came to mind as I was writing this. And I’m always amazed that you are right here with me when I post here. Thank you, thank you! Praying you and your loved ones have the most peaceful Thanksgiving ever.
Love this, Laura. And so, so true! You and your family are in my prayers. Wishing you all a Blessed Thanksgiving! Love you, dear friend.
So need those prayers, Georgianne, as we move my mom and stepdad over the holidays and deal with another heartbreaking situation close at hand. You are one of my biggest blessings. I aspire to be like you! Praying your week is full of joy and celebration! Love you, dear Georgianne.
Beautiful post! I’m thankful that this year has been a full, blessed year. ❤
Knowing some of your history and testimony, Nicole, I’m doubly thankful it’s been a beautiful year for you and your family. So appreciate your gracious presence here. Praying this is your best Thanksgiving yet!
Thank you, Laura for your kindness and thoughtfulness. It’s so easy to forget (when we are personally in a good place) that many are going through tough times. And holidays can make those hard times even harder. I went back to delete my Pollyanna-like comment the other day from your FB post about what we were most thankful for this Thanksgiving and it seems you had taken it down (which made me feel even more embarrassed). You are always, always, always so gracious and caring in your responses. Thank you for being sensitive to the various troubles our friends and loved ones are going through. Names and faces instantly came to mind.
Dear Susan, So happy you’re here! You never misstep with any comment you make! And I notice you do like I do – edit or delete things you wrote when in hindsight you feel it might not be taken the right way. I do that often. In fact, Facebook sent that particular post out to so few people that I realized many are struggling and probably didn’t feel like commenting so I had a change of heart and wrote this blog post instead. You say that so well about ‘names and faces instantly came to mind.’ That’s exactly why I changed over. THANK YOU for your support and insights and all you say and do. Those few that gather here and leave comments are the very foundation of why I write!
I think contentment is the hardest lesson to learn as a believer in Christ. Everyone struggles with it, single, engaged, married, divorced, widowed. So I’m determined to get it right, and keep asking God for a heart of gratitude.
Amazingly succinct and wise and true! Reminds me of the Scripture, “But Godliness with contentment is great gain.” I know these verses by heart but need to learn to live them. You are on that path as a young woman and I wish I’d had your depth and insight, Julie!
I appreciate this post so much and have been so blessed by you! You truly care for others in many ways…through your writing, social media posts, prayers, cards, and more. I know these are ways you have ministered to me during difficult circumstances. I am challenged to care for others more as so many have cared for me. I’ll be praying for you and please let me know how I can minister to you if you’re able. Love and blessings to you sister-friend 💛.
You top my most thankful list, Stacey, with your ongoing graciousness and selflessness toward others in the very midst of your own huge loss! Everything you say here can be said of you. Thank you, thank you for being a bright light in an often dark world. Thankfully, we are winning! Love you, kindred spirit!
Oh, Laura. Thank you. If you only knew how much I needed this…
Which is exactly why I wrote this post. For the both of us. Prayers and love to you, my kindred spirit friend. <3
Praise Him without ceasing!
Thank you, Laura for sharing your heart!
Happy Thanksgiving 💕
Yes, the happiest of Thanksgivings to you, too, dear Trisha! All this leaves me wondering if we will celebrate Thanksgiving in heaven. But seems like every day there is Thanksgiving as it should be here below! 🙂
Life in light of God’s sovereignty–love this post! Praying for you and yours.
Dear Kailee, That’s so poetic! Thank you. So need your prayers. You have mine, too. An overflowing Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones!
Thank you so much for this, Laura. Lately I have found myself ashamed for what I’ve viewed as a lack of contentment and a desire for this chapter of my life to close. I’ve been reminded through your post and other things I’ve just stumbled upon this week that God’s timing is perfect. I’m comforted to know that I can rest easy, knowing He is big enough to handle all of my feelings, even the ones I’d rather not have. I can acknowledge my desire for change, and give the feelings to Him, and STILL be thankful and content.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving, Laura!
Dear Beth, Likewise, your words minister to me! I so understand everything you’ve just expressed – and expressed so well, too. No doubt you’ll come to the Thanksgiving table with a renewed perspective this week in light of what you’ve said here. I pray that for me, too. Like you, I’m at an in-between chapter of life when I’d rather fast-forward. But you’re so right – thankfulness and contentment are right where we are. More internal than external. Thanks for being transparent and blessing me so much. Thinking of you and praying for you as we celebrate this rich holiday.
Three years ago, my family and I spent Thanksgiving in the hospital after my dad fell and broke his hip. It gave me a whole new perspective of what to be thankful for even during that difficult time. I’m grateful for Christian authors like yourself, who weave God’s love in all of your stories, so that even amongst struggles we know we can cling to the One that is our Hope.
Your perfectly worded post is a wonderful start to this holiday. Wishing you and your family a fantastically ‘full’ Thanksgiving.
Amy, You remind me of something I just became aware of recently – that while most of us are celebrating and enjoying the holiday at home, thousands are confined to hospitals and nursing homes and in the ERs. Truly a wake-up call now that I have a first responder son who transports people night and day for medical tx. I hope your dad is fully healed and in fighting form :). That would be an eye-opener. Clinging to the One that is our Hope is sometimes all we have. Beautiful. A bountiful Thanksgiving to you and yours, too. Such a joy to know you!
Laura, your heart is so beautiful. I know that is why your writing is just as beautiful … words flow from a beautiful heart. I can’t wait to read your new work. When I want my writing to be beautiful, I simply need to read a page from you and I remember where I want to be and how and what I want to come from my heart. I hope you have a beautiful Thanksgiving.
Oh Shelli! Thank you so much! I am so far from where I want to be so hearing you say this is truly humbling. In fact, I often think the same of you as you are loveliness personified! And that even flows out of your photographs! I hope this week is peaceful and full of joys large and small for you and your loved ones. Bless you so much!
Thank you so much, Laura. That means the world to me. So far from where you want to be? You are so there. 🙂
What a BIG gift you continue to be, Shelli! <3
Thank you for this Laura. This…”Whatever our current struggles, they’re not eternal. Temporal but not eternal.”…. this is what i needed to be reminded of today. Thank you so much. As always, you are a blessing. Thankful for you!!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Dear Robin, So glad you’re here! I am reminding myself of the temporal, too, today. God bless you, dear friend – your gracious spirit and presence are yet another reason I’m thankful on this special holiday!
Thank you Laura I needed this reminder, especially facing the second Thanksgiving without my mom as it falls on her birthday this year. She always loved Thanksgiving.
Carissa, What a heartfelt holiday in so many ways for you. I think of your mom & you & all the changes you’ve gone through as a family. Thank you for taking time here. Praying for you & your loved ones, always.