A Reason to Be Thankful
Nov 26, 2024 by Addison Crissone
Every year, family and friends gather around the dinner table on the last Thursday of November to share their thankfulness for the past year's blessed abundance; the turkey is golden and the scent is heavenly as it is passed down that table as gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes and so forth soon follow it. We have all come to know of Thanksgiving as a time of grateful proclamation when we are free to be thoughtful and thankful.
But for many of us, we struggle to find a reason to be thankful on Thanksgiving. We may be too grieved or sobered by the events of the past year to even feel grateful or blessed. We may be too tired, too distracted, and too emotional to even make sense of being thankful.
It could be this way for us for a lot of reasons.
That lost family member.
That broken dream.
That miscarriage.
That failed marriage.
That unexpected storm.
That cancer diagnosis.
That loved one who is now gone.
The list truly goes on for miles, but they are the same. We all may be facing trials, tragedies, and troubles this year, and it may seem as though the world has gone on without giving thought to the absence of that loved one in your life, or it may feel like no one cares that you are struggling while everyone else is rejoicing.
But God sees you.
In Matthew 5:4, the Bible says that "those who mourn" will "be comforted". It may not seem like it now, but comfort is coming. He will not leave us comfortless (John 14:18). It may be that we have carried these burdens of diagnosis, doctor's visits, loss, financial strain, hard relationships, and recovery for far too long and we no longer have the strength to carry it and be thankful.
Fortunately, Jesus understands this too.
But for many of us, we struggle to find a reason to be thankful on Thanksgiving. We may be too grieved or sobered by the events of the past year to even feel grateful or blessed. We may be too tired, too distracted, and too emotional to even make sense of being thankful.
It could be this way for us for a lot of reasons.
That lost family member.
That broken dream.
That miscarriage.
That failed marriage.
That unexpected storm.
That cancer diagnosis.
That loved one who is now gone.
The list truly goes on for miles, but they are the same. We all may be facing trials, tragedies, and troubles this year, and it may seem as though the world has gone on without giving thought to the absence of that loved one in your life, or it may feel like no one cares that you are struggling while everyone else is rejoicing.
But God sees you.
In Matthew 5:4, the Bible says that "those who mourn" will "be comforted". It may not seem like it now, but comfort is coming. He will not leave us comfortless (John 14:18). It may be that we have carried these burdens of diagnosis, doctor's visits, loss, financial strain, hard relationships, and recovery for far too long and we no longer have the strength to carry it and be thankful.
Fortunately, Jesus understands this too.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am
gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
-Matthew 11:28-30
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am
gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
-Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus not only understands our laments and grief, he welcomes it. He is not indifferent or deaf to our sufferings, even when the world is aglow with the traditions and nostalgia of the Holidays. "Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction?" (Psalm 44:24). It may feel like God has forgotten you in your pit of despair this Holiday season. But believe me, He knows that you long for relief; and He also knows what these hardships are doing in your heart is worth it- things that you cannot see or understand.
Let us rest in the words of John in the final chapter of the book of Revelation, where we find the certain and ultimate end of grief and pain:
Let us rest in the words of John in the final chapter of the book of Revelation, where we find the certain and ultimate end of grief and pain:
"Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will
be his people, and God himself will be their God.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more,
neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore,
for the former things have passed away."
-Revelation 21:5
be his people, and God himself will be their God.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more,
neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore,
for the former things have passed away."
-Revelation 21:5
There will be a day when we will all bow before Him, and everything we went through on this earth will not only make sense but will suddenly pale in comparison to what we will experience on that day.
For me and my family, there will be several faces that we will not see at the dinner table this year, and their absence will be felt.
I know that it will be the same for many others too.
But there is still a reason to be thankful. And as we all take our seats beside our loved ones- family and friends alike- this Thanksgiving, I pray that we may be able to say with Job, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21).
For me and my family, there will be several faces that we will not see at the dinner table this year, and their absence will be felt.
I know that it will be the same for many others too.
But there is still a reason to be thankful. And as we all take our seats beside our loved ones- family and friends alike- this Thanksgiving, I pray that we may be able to say with Job, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21).
