Discovering Gratitude in Challenging Times

god's mercy gratitude thanksgiving Nov 29, 2018

My Dearest Sisters in Christ,

As we approach this season of Thanksgiving, I am reminded of a beautiful tradition that my family has upheld for many years, one that stems from my kindergarten days in a Christian school. During our first Thanksgiving celebration at that school, we memorized the timeless words of Psalm 100, a Psalm known as the Thanksgiving Psalm. Although I must admit that I can no longer recite it purely from memory, it has become a cherished tradition for both the Klein and Anderson families. Every year, we come together to recite this Psalm, and it holds a special place in our hearts, especially when it comes time to say grace before our Thanksgiving feast.

Let me share a snippet of Psalm 100 with you today and extend an invitation for you to participate in our tradition. It begins with a resounding call to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands" and urges us to "serve the Lord with gladness" and to "come before His presence with singing." As we continue, we are reminded that "the Lord, He is God," the Creator of all, and "we are His people and the sheep of His pasture." The Psalm encourages us to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. It beckons us to "be thankful unto Him and bless His name," for "the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth to all generations."

Isn't it beautiful how these words invite us to express our gratitude to the Lord? It's particularly during challenging times that we find it hardest to be thankful to God. I recall a life-altering experience from 2001 when my husband and I were involved in a car accident. Looking back, it's a miracle that both of us survived. In my reflections, I stumbled upon a small journal I kept during that time, just a tiny, spiral-bound notebook. In it, I found my account of the accident, but what struck me the most was the list I made of blessings and miracles that occurred.

Here I was, confined to a hospital bed for a week and a half, separated from my two little boys, enduring constant pain, and yet, I found an abundance of reasons to be thankful. This experience taught me a powerful lesson. Even in the darkest hours, we can unearth blessings and reasons to be grateful. Doing so not only transforms our attitude but helps us recognize God's presence in our lives. So, as we approach this Thanksgiving, if you find yourself in the midst of a challenging season, I encourage you to seek blessings, to look for signs of God's hand, and to remember that even in difficulty, we can make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

I am profoundly grateful for the lesson I learned during that challenging time – the importance of recognizing God's hand and writing it down as a testament to His grace. It has made all the difference in my perspective and allowed me to navigate the most trying seasons with hope and thankfulness.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with gratitude and blessings.

In His love,

Tamara K. Anderson

Discovering Gratitude in Challenging Times

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