When I think about Thanksgiving, I think about what gratitude really means. I look at the world around us, and I see a culture so seemingly lacking in thanksgiving — in generous, consistent thanks… a culture that embraces far too much anger, resentment, and self-righteousness. I\u2019ve yet to discern, my friends, how we can be angry and grateful at the same time. I don\u2019t think we can give thanks and still be resentful. I think there\u2019s no way we can be full of any righteous indignation and still possess the humility to give thanks to someone or something else.<\/p>\n
Gratitude is personal. It\u2019s not some aimless offering. The colloquial \u201cthank God\u201d doesn\u2019t make a lot of sense unless you add an \u201cs\u201d and a comma. \u201cThanks, God\u201d… that means far more… That\u2019s direct. That\u2019s intentional… that takes all focus off of self.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t believe we are called to give thanks for<\/strong><\/em> all things, but I do believe we can give thanks in<\/strong><\/em> all things — especially when I think of gratitude as being something more… as trusting in the great, big God of the universe. I can\u2019t always thank him for<\/strong><\/em> my “thorns,” but I recognize that the rose bush doesn\u2019t exist without<\/em><\/strong> the thorns. I trust God. That\u2019s enough for me. That trust makes me thankful.<\/p>\n I pause this day, thinking of my sweet sister, Nicole. She is awesome. Ok, so I\u2019m biased — maybe just a little — but ask any who meet her; she\u2019s awesome! Nicole has always been this vibrant, encouraging, positive young lady who makes the whole room brighter. She rarely focuses on the negative — nor on the anger, resentment, righteousness, or self.<\/p>\n Things have changed this last year for her. Nicole was suddenly and shockingly diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer. The disease continues to progress; hence, this 34-year-old, beautiful young woman, now walks a life marked by an incredibly challenging, physical reality. She won\u2019t tell you this, but some of her days are really, really hard. And yet, she continues on… still positive… still not focused on self.<\/p>\n In one of our recent conversations, I found myself uniquely stunned. Nicole remains faithful. She is not paralyzed by any fear nor dismayed by the diagnosis. She is not shaken by the huge \u201cthorn\u201d in her life. In fact, she will quietly but boldly tell you, that she still has much<\/strong><\/em> to be thankful for… she has a wonderful family; she is surrounded by people who love her; and her relationships are better. It\u2019s amazing how cancer causes people to let you know how they really feel. People have been generous in the outpouring of their love. She gives thanks for that. Her attitude is absolutely amazing.<\/p>\n On this Thanksgiving, may each of us trust God in all things. May we give him thanks. And may we always see the rose bush… even amidst the thorns. Happy Thanksgiving, friends. I am thankful for you.<\/p>\n Respectfully…<\/p>\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When I think about Thanksgiving, I think about what gratitude really means. I look at the world around us, and I see a culture so seemingly lacking in thanksgiving — in generous, consistent thanks… a culture that embraces far too much anger, resentment, and self-righteousness. I\u2019ve yet to discern, my friends, how we can be … <\/p>\n