Giving thanks in all circumstances...

Yet another Thanksgiving has come and gone. This one was spent in typical American fashion, but sans my dear family. I played football with a group of friends and though the weather was hot compared to nearly all my Thanksgivings gone past, it was quite a fun day. However, after playing two hours of football, there’s no question that my body will be aching in the morning!

From the gridiron we made our way straight to the grub and enjoyed the usual Thanksgiving feast—turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans—about the only things missing were cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. It was quite a spread, but not the same as mom’s home cookin’!

As wonderful as it was to be with such a great group of people, it could never replace being with family. The last Thanksgiving I spent with my family was two years ago under less than desirable conditions. At the time I was in the thick of training here in India, during which I found out that the Lord had called my dear Grandpa home. Fortunately, I was able to return to the US for his funeral and share a very special with my family as we remembered my Grandpa’s wonderful life.

Grandpa could not have been more involved or more interested in our (grandkids & later great-grandkids) lives. This was no small feat considering my family lived in Wyoming and he and my grandmother lived in Illinois. Every couple of summers, we’d go out to northern Illinois or to Minnesota to see our Grandparents, cousins, aunts, and my uncle. It was always fun spending time with our extended family though the 16+ hrs in the car wasn't terribly fun. Twenty questions and “I spy” kept my sisters and I entertained for hours (or maybe it was only minutes?) crossing the Great Plains. When that wore off, big brother would find creative ways to pester his little sisters, though that didn’t always end well (for them or for him!).

At any rate, we were so very blessed by Grandpa (and Grandma) and the way they invested in our lives. Grandpa and Grandma’s love for us was so evident by their commitment to being part of our lives. They were so proud of us (all the grandkids) and made each of us feel special. I really don’t know how they managed to make it to so many of our birthdays, graduations, and other important life events (like my sister’s wedding). Now, I am finding it hard to believe that two years have gone by since Grandpa died. I am so thankful the life he lived, the example he set, and what he taught me about love, humility, laughter, and a servant’s heart.

In addition to memories of Grandpa (and that awesome clown costume he’d wear for our birthdays!), this Thanksgiving has given me pause to reflect on the last year. It has probably been the most challenging year of my life—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It seems like there have been obstacles lurking around nearly every corner. This has created many doubts and anxieties in my mind and heart. From my mother being diagnosed with cancer to landlord troubles to major career decisions to broken relationships, this year has brought more heartache, disappointment, discouragement, and suffering than any other. (Please don’t feel sorry for me or stop reading because I’m depressing you. This will end well, I promise!)

As I look back on what seemed like wave after wave of distressing events, I am thankful for knowing and experiencing calm in the midst of the storm. The truth is that God has allowed and even purposed everything in my life to come to pass the way it has--nothing has taken place apart God's will. I wasn’t unlucky this year, nor did I suffer from bad karma. No, I am confident that just as Joseph told his brothers (who intended to harm him), that God intended it for good (Genesis 50:20) so too, God has shown Himself faithful in similar ways in my life. I can therefore rest secure in the knowledge of God's promise to those who believe in Jesus--all things will work together for good (Romans 8:28). So when things don’t go “my way” or according to “my will,” I am still able to rejoice and “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will…” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

So what gives me such an assurance in the midst of tremendous anxiety and grief? Well, it is a result of knowing and experiencing God's intimate knowledge, care, and concern—He knows all my hopes, dreams, desires, disappointments, heartaches... EVERYTHING! More than that, He is continuously engaged in our lives because we are created in His image and His longs for us to experience the fullness of His love for us--a deep, abiding, unconditional, and personal love. He is not a distant, capricious god who caters to my every whim and fancy. No, He is a God who is zealous for me to worship Him because He knows that in so doing, I will find delight by walking in His ways and honoring Him. Only is so doing, can I find true peace, assurance, and hope.

I believe this because God has come in human form to this dirty, filthy world--no part of which is untainted by our sin. He did this to redeem mankind and reconcile us to Himself (our Creator) because He alone is the perfect sacrifice. Only by giving Himself can our broken relationships with Him, with each other, and with His creation be restored. Through Jesus, God has poured out His love and grace upon the world, offering us the only real path to salvation. Therefore, in the midst of trials and tribulations, I can rejoice with Job and say, “…the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21)

In addition to being my Savior and Lord, Jesus is now my advocate. Who could better relate to my sorrows and grief than One who has experienced them, but to a much greater and more painful degree? “He was despised and rejected by mankind,
 a man of suffering, and familiar with pain… he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” (Isaiah 53:3) O what a Savior... O what a Lord... He not only knows my innermost thoughts, but also shares in my deepest sorrows. He is ever waiting, ever longing for us to cast our burdens upon Him, for He cares for us! (1 Peter 5:7)

I'm also thankful that God answers our prayers for physical healing and He has healed my mom of cancer! There have been many times this year when her life appeared to be hanging in the balance (in human terms), yet throughout this ordeal, God has been holding her in the palm of His hand. He has restored her health and answered our prayers. My family is so very blessed and tremendously thankful for God's providential care in our lives regardless of what storms may come.

As I draw this to a close, this Thanksgiving I am acutely aware of my need for God’s grace, His mercy, and His love. I am also thankful for how He heals the broken-hearted (Psalm 147:3) and restores and heals broken relationships. While suffering and heartache will continue as long as I walk this earth, I can take solace in the fact that God has proven Himself faithful and He continues to do so. For that I will, today and forever, give thanksgiving and offer up a sacrifice of praise to the great, gracious, and loving King of Kings.