I am continuing my determination this week to increase my attention to giving thanks to God. Sunday at the 11:00 service my friend Jasmine used a current TV commercial as a sermon illustration. It’s the one that shows a food-laden Thanksgiving dinner table, a family that has accidently locked themselves out of the house and a beautiful and hungry golden retriever inside with the food. She then asked, “How do you give thanks when Thanksgiving is ruined?” My husband Joe kiddingly said, “Go to Waffle House!” Yet he has something, too. There are many people struggling all the time. While holidays roll around that call for praise and thanksgiving they still suffer from unemployment, grief, terminal illness, or broken relationships. How do they give thanks? Our scripture speaks to this. In every situation stay connected to God. In order to give thanks, one must focus on the good in life that is still there in the middle of other struggles. If one is ill, be thankful for relationships. If one is struggling with divorce, be thankful for good health. If Thanksgiving dinner is ruined, be thankful for Waffle House!
Gracious Lord, help us to give thanks in all circumstances. In the middle of our worries, please help us to feel the care, comfort and joy of the Holy Spirit. Help us to turn our troubles over to you and to rejoice over the good in our lives. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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