On this day we pause to consider the blessings God has given and to offer praise for these treasures. This isn’t simply a day for turkey and football. This is a day of sober reflection and celebration of the goodness of God.
Take time to consider all that the Lord has brought us through since the pandemic erupted in late 2019 – early 2020. We have now made it to the end of 2021.
What blessings has the Lord bestowed upon you and yours during this time?
What hardships have you faced and how has the Lord been present with you?
Most of us find that our ways of interacting with others, of going out in public, of attending church or being involved in small groups in homes have changed in a significant way.
What changes have occurred in your life? Why? In what ways can you give thanks for how the Lord has brought you through these difficult times?
On this busy day of preparing food, perhaps hosting family, coordinating a sit-down dinner that works with the football schedule, and, hopefully, enjoying the closeness of loved ones, take time to thank the Lord for all He has done in your life.
If this is a day of going off to work for you, if there is no family gathering, if you are alone this year, the Lord is with you. Remind yourself that you are never alone, for He never leaves you. He never forsakes you. Remember His nearness. Talk to Him in your heart throughout this day.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7 NIV).
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." (Philippians 4:4-5 NIV). Click To Tweet The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus… Click To Tweet
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17 NIV).
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17) #bgbg2 Click To Tweet“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south” (Psalm 107:1-3 ESV).
"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands…"(Psalm 107 ESV). #bgbg2 Click To Tweet
I love your dual theme – thankfulness and that the Lord is near.
How can we be anything but thankful, knowing He is always near?
A blessed Thanksgiving celebration to you and your family!
A happy Thanksgiving to you as well, Ava! The awareness of the nearness of the Lord has grown to be significant in my life, since I first got sick. So much to be thankful for. So much love in my heart for our God who is near.
I am thankful the Lord is always near. In good times and in bad times, His presence brings peace and comfort. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Melissa. The nearness of the Lord is one of the most calming and comforting truths. He is not a cold, distant, faraway god. No, he is a God who loves us and who indwells us with his own Holy Spirit. That’s getting as near as he can get!
Melinda, what a wonderful reminder of the Source of all our blessings. We give thanks to God, for He is good. I appreciate how you remind us to reflect on blessings bestowed and how God was with us in difficult times. In addition, you offered a comforting blessing to people who may have to work on Thanksgiving or find it to be hard day for other reasons. Thank you for the scripture truths, which re-anchor our hearts to Christ. We have Jesus. That is reason to give thanks!
This is a day for thanking the Lord for his abundant blessing, his grace and mercy during hard times, his answers to our many prayers, his gifts of life and family, and his presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit sustaining and comforting and enabling us to live our lives with love, kindness, and compassion. God is good! The Lord is near!
Happy Thanksgiving, Melinda! God bless!
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” He is good, indeed.
His goodness sustains us! There is much to thank him for in these difficult times. We praise and thank him for all he’s given, for all he’s done, for his tender care, and for his presence in our lives!
God is so good! It’s astounding how many blessings He bestows… some I haven’t even recognized! You are among the blessings in my life, Melinda. Xoxo
Thank you, Jessica! You’re a great blessing to me as well. Your transparency, your humor, and your wisdom shine through so beautifully in your writing. God bless you this Thanksgiving Day!
Beautiful and thankful post, Melinda. I heard a pastor say this past Sunday, “What God doesn’t deliver us from, He gives us the grace to go through it.” He’s a good, good Father!
Yes! He is such a good, good Father! Those hardships that come, that we don’t understand, particularly if they linger over time, are the opportunities the Lord uses to show us his grace and help and nearness and tenderness. These cause us to grow and work together for our good!
You captured a beautiful message about thanksgiving. I am so thankful for all God has done in my life. Thanks Melinda.
Thank you, Yvonne! So many blessings, so much grace, and so many difficulties the Lord had brought us through. He’s with us in the middle of it all!