Hello it’s me again - L.J.
Today: Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving, what is thanksgiving?
Well simply put: giving thanks! Why do we associate this word (mostly) with God or church? Or do we think it is only in this setting that (i mentioned here) we should give it? Maybe it is just me who is asking this question, or because every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning, James 1:17. Anyway, the most important thing is that we give thanks, because the bible says a merry heart is like medicine. Proverbs 17:22 and giving thanks makes you merry!
There are some songs I really love and they remind me of all the good things I have encountered in my life. Songs like: Count your blessings, name them one by one… (check this version I could not find my own), My God is awesome: Charles Jenkins…
I like to start right from the beginning:
- I was 3 years old and came to live in the Netherlands – I am grateful!
- I was raised by twin mothers that showed me so much love! – I am grateful!
- I had was raised together with my sister that came just before me (2 years difference) – I am grateful!
- I can still remember, my bed, room, those lovely sunflower plastic slippers (hahah the year was 1973…) – I am grateful!
- I remember my bike, beautiful purple with handbrakes – I am grateful!
- We had 3 lovely dogs, especially Snowy, he was the best dog… – I am grateful!
- I got my 3 lovely children – I am grateful!
Ha-ha how much time do you have, because I can go on and on... but I think you get my point? When you look back over your live you will begin to remember even the funniest details that makes your heart to sing. It is in these moments that you begin to see the hand of God covering you, helping you, comforting you even carrying you! That is a healthy way of looking back! Our hearts need that encouragement and affirmation that tell us Yes we are Loved and Yes we are Worth so much!
If you have been deprived of any of this kind of love in your past, know that it was NOT Gods will!! Let no one tell you otherwise! Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope
But he was carrying you! I would say that if you have ever been in this kind of stage in your live (and we all go through that in one way or the other at a certain point), it becomes even more important to count our blessings and keep the song in our heart alive. As the scripture said, a merry heart is like medicine.
If you feel down, board or depressed, I want you to do the following:
Stand in front of the mirror -> pull up your cheeks so you see your teeth -> jump up and in the jump rotate! Now let me see if you can keep a straight face…. Are you picturing this? If you cannot do what I just told you to do, just imagine this!! (Don’t hurt yourself!!) The outcome is the same I know you are smiling right mow. Funny isn’t it even if you imagine others doing this..
Let me encourage you with this! In this live there will be times that you feel like crawling under your bed, hiding, letting steam come out of your ears or just wanting to quit! DON’T!
Just remember that there WILL BE A TIME AHEAD THAT YOU TOO WILL REJOICE! Know that the more you give thanks, the more that, that which will give you reason to give thanks, will come to you more and more! Your prayers will be answered in the fasted way when you give thanks! The BEST way of taking revenge is FOR YOU TO GIVE THANKS! For you will be blessed more, you will be healthier, you will live longer, you will prosper more, you will be freed from anger and bondage so much quicker, you will succeed and much more!
So give thanks to the Lord, give thanks to your spouse, give thanks to your boss, give thanks to those around you…. Doesn’t matter to whom, make giving thanks a way of live and you will see so much more good in your live unfolding than you could ever imagined!
We love to hear what you are grateful for, leave them below in the comments!
God Bless you! – L.J.
