Unfathanonable "Haves"
Right now, it is hitting me how quickly our boys are growing and changing. I was flipping through pictures in my phone and came across a trip to Branson a couple of summers ago. We had a blast. Then the memories and Thanksgiving just around the corner sort of collided. I remember how easily an ungrateful heart would develop on the trip. We’d be in line for a roller coaster, but instead of walking right onto it, we’d have to wait 10 minutes. *Grumble* We’d get a snack, but instead of pizza, we got popcorn. *Grumble* We had to leave, but we only could ride each roller coaster 5 times. *Grumble*
As a parent, I grew frustrated by this rollercoaster of emotions. But that night, I recognized, we as God’s children can focus on the “have nots” instead of the unfathomable amount of “haves.” If you’re struggling to be grateful this Thanksgiving, let me offer you some encouragement.
I believe every Christian can be grateful because of the four gifts we have received.
Life. “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). Every day I wake up, I am thankful. To have breath in my lungs is a gift from God. To be able to watch the sunrise is a blessing. To see my kids off to school is grace. To enjoy the cool breeze on my skin is a gift. The gift of life is a reason to celebrate.
Family. “He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:5). For reasons we’ll never know, God adopts us into His family. That means we are never alone. We have the Holy Spirit inside us. We have Christ beside us. We have the body of Christ around us. We have God watching over us. The gift of family is a reason to rejoice.
Provision. “And my God will fully supply your every need according to his glorious riches in the Messiah Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). “One more” seems to be the philosophy of the day. We never seem to have enough, but the Apostle Paul rejected that notion. He learned to be content in all things. That is the key to being thankful for God’s provision. When we learn the difference between our wants and our needs, we will cultivate an attitude of gratitude. So today, remember what your needs are and recognize God provided it. Then remember everything is grace. When we see God’s grace in and through our lives, we will thank Him continually.
Eternity. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘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 with them as 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 21:3-4)This is the pinnacle of God’s grace. By God’s grace, we become heirs of the King. By God’s grace, we have peace with God. Because of God’s grace, we will reign with Christ forever. In that future, all will be right. Eternity with God is THE reason we can be grateful every day.
Today, I don’t know what challenges and disappointments you face. But we know that we can be grateful because of life, family, provision, and eternity. Today, take a moment and thank God for each one of these realities. But don’t stop there. Each day, identify one piece of grace that you can thank God for. Then tell one person about that gift.
Allow the attitude of gratitude to overtake you, and influence others to Christ.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Pastor Nat Crawford
As a parent, I grew frustrated by this rollercoaster of emotions. But that night, I recognized, we as God’s children can focus on the “have nots” instead of the unfathomable amount of “haves.” If you’re struggling to be grateful this Thanksgiving, let me offer you some encouragement.
I believe every Christian can be grateful because of the four gifts we have received.
Life. “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). Every day I wake up, I am thankful. To have breath in my lungs is a gift from God. To be able to watch the sunrise is a blessing. To see my kids off to school is grace. To enjoy the cool breeze on my skin is a gift. The gift of life is a reason to celebrate.
Family. “He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:5). For reasons we’ll never know, God adopts us into His family. That means we are never alone. We have the Holy Spirit inside us. We have Christ beside us. We have the body of Christ around us. We have God watching over us. The gift of family is a reason to rejoice.
Provision. “And my God will fully supply your every need according to his glorious riches in the Messiah Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). “One more” seems to be the philosophy of the day. We never seem to have enough, but the Apostle Paul rejected that notion. He learned to be content in all things. That is the key to being thankful for God’s provision. When we learn the difference between our wants and our needs, we will cultivate an attitude of gratitude. So today, remember what your needs are and recognize God provided it. Then remember everything is grace. When we see God’s grace in and through our lives, we will thank Him continually.
Eternity. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘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 with them as 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 21:3-4)This is the pinnacle of God’s grace. By God’s grace, we become heirs of the King. By God’s grace, we have peace with God. Because of God’s grace, we will reign with Christ forever. In that future, all will be right. Eternity with God is THE reason we can be grateful every day.
Today, I don’t know what challenges and disappointments you face. But we know that we can be grateful because of life, family, provision, and eternity. Today, take a moment and thank God for each one of these realities. But don’t stop there. Each day, identify one piece of grace that you can thank God for. Then tell one person about that gift.
Allow the attitude of gratitude to overtake you, and influence others to Christ.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Pastor Nat Crawford
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