In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Native Americans shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. We are so blessed to live in a country that declares the last Thursday in November to be a public holiday known as Thanksgiving Day. We pause in this COVID-19 2020 to give thanks.
A thankful heart, a heart of gratitude, doesn’t just happen – thankfulness requires cultivation: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thess. 5:18. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’” Heb. 12:28-29. Being thankful also requires a willful choice. “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1
Today, Mary Lu and I give thanks for what God has done and is doing through this COVID-19 era. God is stirring hearts all over the world. The foundations upon which people have built their lives have been shaken. Many who rejected the gospel outright are now ready to hear and receive God’s message of grace and redemption – and God has positioned us to assist this soon-to-be-emerging church in the unreached world. In spite of travel restrictions, He has enabled us to work remotely with international partners while at the same time putting us in a place to identify, train and mentor others who are also pursuing a calling to use the arts in missions. Thank you, Lord!
We are thankful for how God has provided for our sons – each one has faced (or is still facing) difficult financial challenges because of shutdowns – and yet God continues to lead, guide, encourage and provide for each one in unique ways. We are thankful for seven months with a full house – we may never have another opportunity to live that closely with either a daughter-in-law or a grandchild. Thank you, Lord!
We are thankful to get to know more of our neighbors during this lockdown (socially-distanced of course!). We are thankful for the opportunity to share life with our Summit small group. We are thankful for the wisdom and direction of our Walk in Two Worlds board. We are thankful for how God brought us from frustration (at not traveling) to acceptance (at being in the US) to genuine gratitude (for all that He has done in us, through us, and in spite of us!). Thank you, Lord!
Now it’s your turn: what are you thankful for today? Together, let’s willfully choose to cultivate thankful hearts.
Happy Thanksgiving!