Can I "really" be thankful?

In a year of political name calling, mingled in with lies and deceit, can we be thankful?  When our cities are falling deeper into darkness and the murder rate is the highest it has been in 40 years, can we be thankful?  When babies are still being aborted and even days before their birth, can we still be thankful? When a generation is coming up in age that denies the very existence of God, can we be thankful? 

Yes, at times it is VERY hard to say we are thankful. 
But I awoke today to a new day, I am breathing, this heart is pumping, I can see the fallen leaves, I can hear the voice of my husband.  
Yes, as I prepare for the coming thanksgiving, I am thankful. 

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​The plans are in place and we anticipate gathering with friends and family.  
Whatever our plans may be, the focus on this day is thankfulness.

As we gather around the dinner table, bow our heads in prayer, the list of those things we are thankful for roll off our tongue with ease.  Yes, we find it easy to thank Him for our food, home and family. 
Yet this word “thankful” really means that we give thanks to God for everything 
that we receive at His hand.
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Have you experienced heartache this past year? 
Have you lost a loved one or dealing with the pain and illness of someone close to you? 
Has you financial situation caused you emotional and material loss?
Are you concerned because of job loss and uncertainty of the future? 
So many of us are going through emotional, physical and spiritual trials. 

So as we prepare for a season of giving thanks, may we come to understand that ALL is in His hands and not our will.  Only then can we say that we can be truly thankful for whatever situation we may find ourselves in. So can you say that you are really thankful?
 
I hope that after you finish reading this you may choose to answer, yes. 
You see, often we are thankful for just the good things that have come our way over the past year. 
But can we really say that we can include those things which have crossed our path this year,
 that have brought us heartache and tears?

Imagine you are entering the grocery store, and you see an elderly woman leaning on her cart.  This cart is filled with everything but groceries.  From her appearance it is obvious that she has fallen upon hard times.  With a desire to be friendly, you comment, “Hello, may you have a good day.” 

She smiles and replies, “Thank you, but I never have a bad day.” 
Well that was not what you expected to hear.

So again you respond by saying, “What a blessing!”  She surprises you with her response.
“Oh, I am always blessed.  When I have food to eat, I thank God.  When I am hungry, I thank God.  When I am warm, I thank God.  When I am cold, I thank God.  You see, whatever is His will for me makes me happy and blessed.  I thank God that I am never unhappy.”

This scene should prick us within and urge us to search our own hearts.  In order for us to be genuinely thankful we must first be content.  We must find contentment whether we have sunshine or rain in our life.  This often is hard for any of us to accomplish; what we must come to see is that happiness really is a choice.  Trusting in Him, knowing He is in control, we find true contentment and thankfulness.

So before we gather around the Thanksgiving table this year, may we come to Him in humble prayer and thank Him for giving us the spiritual strength to continue this road of life He has set before us.

For if we call on His name, and humble ourselves, admit where we have fallen and sinned, He will hear our cry for help.  Even in the darkest times, He will hear our cry.  Then we can be thankful that we have placed Him first, and given all the darkness and trials to Him.

For in all times He will never leave us or forsake us. 

Have very blessed & thankful Thanksgiving Day!

May we cry out for help and give our nation back to Him. 
Then we can be comforted and contented in all things, knowing we are in His hands. 

…and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, or forsake thee. ~ Hebrews 13:5
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In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 
1 Thessalonians 5:18