Tag: Thanksgiving

Gratitude During the Holiday Season

My Thanksgiving holiday turned out well.  I’m grateful my family and I made it through another year to experience another holiday season, which was different for me but nice. I wasn’t much for cooking anything this year, and the current mood this multiple sclerosis has placed me in is one where solitude, isolation, and few group gatherings appeal to me. So, my sister, brother, his wife, and I went out to eat at a seafood restaurant (one of my favs). They served the traditional Thanksgiving turkey and other trimmings. I was grateful to eat regularly again because my appetite had changed to only one meal a day. Overall, it was a nice outing for me, and I enjoyed our time together.

The quick ride back to my home was also something I was grateful for.  I immediately curled up under my blanket, watched movies, and slept all weekend. I was very tired and needed to do this. I’ve been tutoring quite a bit—college students with essay college writing and 3rd/4th-grade children in ELA and math. I even took on a few substitute sessions with a 7th/8th grade group and 1st/2nd graders. I enjoy tutoring! I’m still grateful for how the Lord opened this opportunity for me to work from home. It aligns perfectly with the limitations I have due to multiple sclerosis.

I recognized an opportunity by tutoring these kids. They are always in my heart, and I’m troubled by the things they are experiencing so young. I have a chance to show them Jesus Christ’s love. It’s not always about preaching to them. Besides, I can’t mention God or Christ to kids in the public school system anyway; it’s prohibited. Nonetheless, through my smile, warmth, inclusiveness, and conversations with them, I’m able to make them feel wanted, accepted, and capable of learning. I inspire them by telling them, “You can learn English and math.”  I encourage them despite the struggles I see many of them have. I shared the struggles I had in reading at their age and let them know they too could overcome their challenges. This is very much a part of witnessing, I think–demonstrating God’s love. It’s exciting too, discovering the differences in how I was taught and how they are being taught. They’re showing me something new and I adapt.  I, in turn, show them some of the old-school tricks I used as a youngster, and they’re amazed. It’s a great exchange between the generations.

So, I have a lot I’m grateful for this holiday season—small, everyday things. I’m also grateful my newest granddaughter was born healthy and without any problems. Ayla Grace was born on November 13th to my son and his new wife. It amazes me how alert the babies are today. I remember a time we would sit watching a newborn, prodding him or her to open their eyes. Not so with Ayla; she’s wide awake and alert! Lol

Finally, my book is nearing completion, and I’m grateful for the progress. I’m looking forward to having it published by early next year. Please click this link to add your email to my author’s list, so I can notify you when it goes to print and receive suggestions of other terrific books to read.

That’s all for this month. I simply wanted to chat. I hope all of you enjoyed your holiday as well and have found things to truly be grateful for. Please, comment, join the conversation, and share how your Thanksgiving was. I’d love to hear.

All the best, and stay blessed until next time… 🙂

“In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (AMP)

Thanks Lord

Being thankful is what God wants us to do in every situation we may find ourselves in.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5:18

Thanks in all circumstances God? Everything?

But you don’t understand, this Covid-19 pandemic is out of control and has wreaked havoc in my life. I lost family members I love dearly. The disease has left me now struggling to breathe, even move or walk; I’m tired. Not only this, but I already have a chronic illness, and my loved ones too; we’re sick. Trying to avoid Covid and manage my own and their disease is overwhelming, scary. Can the health system properly handle my illness and the number of Covid cases? Am I going to get Covid and die? Is my chronic illness going to worsen? Will I end up with both? These and other concerns elevate my blood pressure. Ugh! I’m fearful.

Sir, in all due respect, my livelihood is gone–in an instant. I no longer have a business. Financially, I’m strapped. I must start over at 55 years old. The work culture has changed and so has my job. I’ve gone out to work all my life; now I must work from home. I don’t know much about computers, navigating Zoom, or managing my kids around work. Their lives are in upheaval too; one week they’re in school, another week, they’re doing virtual learning because someone became sick with Covid. They’re not learning much, and their new schedule collides with mine. I don’t like this. I’m confused.

Do you see, my family has been torn apart. My husband left me. My wife has changed how she now sees me. My kids don’t even visit. I’m lonely.

I find no solace when tuning to media outlets to hear the news so that I stay abreast of what’s going on or discover what I’m supposed to be doing. In fact, I’m even more disheartened. I find myself often gasping for breaths listening to the “breaking news.” It’s sure that, isn’t it? My heart breaks reading the headlines or watching those appalling crime videos they show over and over again–another murder, mass casualty incident, missing person/rape, shooting, or a corruption case involving those in high places. I’m not so thankful to know at any place or at any time, I too could become a victim, simply while working on my job, walking my dog in the park, attending a concert, or church or school, or traveling in my car or on a plane or train. Announcements of racist and social biases and extremist groups and their ideologies run rampant in news coverage. Political leaders are not unified. They’re bashing one another. We’re told about the “left,” the “right,” the “progressives?” What is all this? What does it mean? So much divisiveness. It’s chaotic out there. I have no peace.

I’m a sociable, outgoing person. I always enjoyed freely mingling with friends, dining out, working out at the gym, hosting home parties, or catching a movie at the local theatre. Now I feel trapped in a shell, limited by what I can do, and paranoid to freely venture out to enjoy myself. I’m anxious about what I touch, who comes near me, who’s not vaccinated, and whether the restaurant has been disinfected. Wearing these masks is becoming a nuisance. I’m not free to be me. I want things to be like they were before. I miss socializing. I’m depressed.

So, Lord, are you saying in this verse, I should be thankful because these troubling things are Your will for me? Or, are you saying that what Your will is for those who follow Christ is to say “Thank you Lord” regardless of what is personally happening in their life or in the world around them?

Well, it’s reiterated in Ephesians 5:20, “…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Everything means everything. Always means always. Hmm!

Happy Thanksgiving folks! Be blessed until next time…

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