Grateful in Each Season

 

We have entered November and will spend the month focusing on gratitude in many shapes and forms.  I love our Bible verse for today.  Years ago, our minister would begin each Sunday service with, “This is the day the Lord has made,” to which the congregation would respond, “Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  It was a wonderful way to bring our attention to the happiness of the day.

Yet there were some Sundays when I sat in the pew and although I mouthed the words, “Let us rejoice and be glad in it,” my heart was feeling something quite different.  On those Sundays, I did not believe there was much to be grateful for.  My heart may have been heavy over a relationship that was difficult.  My body may have been struggling to find just one area where I was not experiencing pain.  What was there to be grateful for?

Friends, looking back on those days, I had much to thank God for.  Although I may have struggled with a certain relationship, there were so many family and friends around me that loved me and supported me during those difficult times.  My body may have been filled with pain, but I was getting better each and every day.  There was much to be grateful for.  Whatever life season we are in, we can still find gratitude. 

Whatever the season, we have One that follows us into each life season with hope and peace.  Our Lord is by our side.  We are able to reach out to Him any time and share our struggles with Him.  We can trust that He will be there and, for that, we can be forever filled with gratitude.  It can be hard to have a heart of thankfulness when life seems to be upended.  Friends, our gratitude will always come in Jesus. 

After a recent Bible study my husband and I did, we decided to add gratitude to our dinner grace.  Each evening, we share one thing we were grateful for that day.  Some days it may be a miracle we witnessed.  Other days it may be something simple.  Every time we see Jesus!  Friends, each day we need to find the one thing that He gives us regardless of the season we are in.  He will always give us His love!  Have simple faith!

Video that complements this post:  Grateful in Each Season

Dearest Jesus, we will always have much to be grateful for, whatever season we are in.  May we have faith in turning to you and express gratitude each day!  Amen.