Tuesday's Devotion: Giving Thanks in All Situations

Philippians 4:6  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

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.

Monday's Devotion: O Give Thanks!

Psalm 107:1-2 (NLV)  Give thanks to the Lord for He is good! His loving-kindness lasts forever!  Let the people who have been saved say so.

I went to Perimeter Mall this past week. Nordstrom’s had a large sign explaining that they had not decorated for Christmas because they believed November should have its own holiday.  I thought that was nice.  It made me reaffirm my own desire to focus on giving thanks and not jumping ahead to Christmas.  So please let me share some things I am thankful for.  I was at my favorite mall because I needed a few clothing essentials. I’m thankful that I needed them not because my current clothes were getting too tight to wear, but because they were too big!  I’m thankful that I’m healthy enough to do the exercise necessary to lose weight and get into shape.   This year we are celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the movie West Side Story.  I love the music – and one song that tells another thing I am thankful for:

I like to be in America
Ok by me in America
Everything free in America
For a small fee in America

I am thankful that my good friend Rev. Jasmine Smothers preached at Hapeville First yesterday on the subject of the Priority of Thanksgiving.  She asked us to think about waking up in the morning with only the things we thanked God for the day before.  I hope you spend sometime today and this week reflecting on your blessings and praising God for them.

Gracious and holy God.  We give thanks to you for this day. Help us to remember that all good things come by your generosity.  We ask your presence with us this week that we will find many things to be thankful for as we go about our days.  Amen.