Do you ever take time to give thanks to God?
It’s easy to flow along with everyday life. One can easily get caught up in the nitty-gritty, day-to-day minutia. We get lost in the details and forget the big picture. We take people for granted. Life for granted. God for granted.
This year, my life came to a grinding halt when a family member suddenly faced a life-threatening illness. The things I worried about just a day earlier now seemed trivial in comparison. Praying became front and center as I asked Jesus for healing, strength, and courage and prayed for a miracle.
Open your heart to the Lord
God listens to our prayers when we open our hearts to him. He has been merciful, and my loved one is gradually recovering from his illness.
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful to God for bestowing healing on my family. I’m grateful to all my friends, family, and co-workers for picking me up and carrying me through dark and frightening times. I hope that one day, I can return the favor.
I’m thankful for the life-giving air we breathe, the sunlight that chases away the shadows, the cacophony of birds, and the endless fields of wildflowers bursting with color. I’m grateful for my rescue dogs, Scooby and Cooper, and their unconditional love. I’m thankful for our country’s veterans, who risked or gave their own lives so that our country could be the wonderful place it is to live today.
In addition, I'm thankful for the gift of books, and I especially appreciate a spine-tingling novel. You know, the kind of book that sucks you in so that you experience the action along with the characters, never wanting the book to end. This year in particular, I’m thankful for second chances and for books where characters experience second chances.
Have you or a loved one been given a second chance? What are you thankful for?
Suggestions for showing your thankfulness:
Thank a veteran for service to country.
Say a simple prayer of thanks to God for all the blessings in your life.
Do an act of kindness for a stranger.
Share with a friend something that has made you happy, like a favorite book!
In what ways do you show your thankfulness? Share it in the comments! Authors, if you've got a book about second chances, please share it in the comments!