Last night, I got back from a six day trip to the middle of nowhere--Wibaux, Montana. I spent a total of 40 hours in the car, shed near a gallon or two of tears at my grandma's funeral, and didn't even get a Thanksgiving dinner (we had to settle for Burger King). But I'm not writing this to receive comments of sympathy, but rather to share with you what a wonderful Thanksgiving week I had.
To be honest I've always seen Thanksgiving as a tradition-filled, party-of-a-holiday with great family and friends, fun games, and AMAZING food. But with almost all that stripped away this Thanksgiving, spent in the car, I found that it was still a day of thanksgiving, and now a day with even deeper meaning.
God isn't concerned with the quality and quantity of food and fun on thanksgiving, so much as a heart of gratitude made right before Him and reminded of its dependence on Him. And in His opinion, everyday is Thanksgiving. In Ephesians 5:20, Paul writes, "... always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." In addition, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
Why does God want us always to give thanks, not just on Thanksgiving day? According to Scripture, God is glorified when we give thanks. David writes in Psalm 69:30, "I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving." To glorify God should be our ultimate pursuit, therefore we shouldn't hesitate to give thanks constantly.
My week was full of fun, cousins, relaxation, and much reevaluating. Looking back, I'm so thankful for the long hours in the car, spent with my family, sleeping, and reading. I'm thankful for the unique beauty that Wibaux's snowy and barren hills hold and for the refreshing ice-cold temperatures. I'm grateful to God for giving me a grandma who showed me what it means to give thanks in all circumstances, and who is now free from this earthly body of pain. And I'm thankful for the turkey in the freezer, waiting for our post-Thanksgiving day dinner, a few days late, but nonetheless a meal to remind me to give thanks to God for every physical and spiritual blessing in Christ...on Thanksgiving, on Sundays, on the bad and good days, on Christmas, and every day of the year.
I want to be like her when I grow up.
Hey Lauren, thanks for posting pictures! I wish I could have been there with y'all, but it's good to "see" it on here.
ReplyDeleteI miss her so much, but it is sweet to know that she is in Heaven, praising her Maker.
ReplyDeleteWe missed you Alana! Can't wait to see in a few weeks!
~A~
(How DARE you post that picture! :)