Give Thanks

While we should be grateful throughout the year, the season of Thanksgiving is the time when I really stop and reflect on all that I am thankful for.

I had a wonderful Friendsgiving last weekend with my people, and today I spent Thanksgiving surrounded by close family. I cherish these days.

Things in my life haven’t often been easy. I’ve had to work hard to get where I am today, with my career, my relationships, my faith, and my health. I’ve made many mistakes along the way and often took the longer route to reach my goals. Things still aren’t simple, but I have discovered that once you reach the end of a difficult road, you can look back and find beauty in the journey.

Even through trials, there are so many things to be thankful for: a kind word, an earnest hug, a comfortable home, a genuine smile, an encouraging friend, a gorgeous day, good health, the love of your family, and, most of all, the peace that comes from salvation from the Lord.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand,” (Romans 5:1-2).

I am very blessed. I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, plenty of food, a job that provides for my needs, a vehicle to transport me wherever I need to go, wonderful friends, a supportive family, and three beautiful children who are the biggest joys in my life.  

When we focus on the positives in life, it helps to cultivate a gracious heart and thankful attitude so we can face the darker days when they arise. A happy heart comes from the Lord, so we should give Him thanks for all He does for us…for His calming presence, His healing hand, His steady guidance, His loving mercy, His forgiving nature, and His saving grace.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever. He alone does great wonders. His faithful love endures forever,” (Psalm 136:1-4).

Many of us are currently going through difficult times. Unfortunately, we all must endure grief and suffering at some point in our lives, some more so than others. This can make it hard to find reasons to be thankful, but God wants us to give thanks no matter if we’re on the mountain top or in the deepest valley.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

When we strive to say thank you even when we don’t feel like doing so, our heart will begin to change and thanksgiving will become a normal quality of our daily walk, no matter our circumstances. This is why in Acts 16:16-40 Paul and Silas sang joyful songs and praised the Lord despite being flogged and thrown into prison for their faith.

When we succeed and we’re at our peak, God is there. When we hurt and get knocked down to our lowest point, God is still there. “…because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,’” (Hebrews 13:5b).

What are you grateful for today? If you’re having a difficult time finding something to give thanks for, try listing out all your blessings. I bet you have more to be thankful for than you realize.

A Blessed Hunt

This past Tuesday was the last day of regular deer rifle season in Missouri. I have been in a slump the last few years, letting deer pass by while waiting for something better. This year, I was determined to kill a big buck.

Since getting married, I have gone to my in-laws’ place for what we call Huntsgiving the opening weekend of deer season. We hunted on their property and had an early Thanksgiving feast.

Since that tradition is no more, I had the opportunity to do something I hadn’t done in years…go hunting with my dad. If you know me, you know that I’m a “Daddy’s girl,” always have been. Some of my earliest and fondest memories as a child were hunting with my dad, my grandpa, and my great grandpa.

My dad is an avid and successful hunter, as evidenced by the meat in his freezer and the trophy deer heads hanging on his walls. I remember when Dad won a local big buck contest two years in a row when I was a young girl. I thought he was the coolest guy ever.

This year I was determined to bring in a harvest, and I prayed that God would bless my hunt. The first day, Dad and I had only been out in the woods for a couple of hours when a little spike buck appeared. I was excited when I first saw him, but I decided I would let him pass because I wanted to wait for a bigger deer. I sat there and watched him walk around, stare at us, and snort at us for a few minutes. I even had time to get my phone out and video some of his antics until he eventually took off.

I didn’t see another deer the rest of the season.

I’m sharing this particular story to highlight three points. The first is to admit my folly. I prayed for a harvest, but when God sent me one, I decided it wasn’t good enough and let it go. It was a missed opportunity. Matthew 21:22 reminds us, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Faith is a beautiful thing. Learn from me, and don’t waste the blessings the Lord gives you, especially when you specifically ask for them.

The second point to emphasize is that despite me coming home empty-handed day after day this deer season, I was still blessed. I saw and heard several turkeys, other birds, and squirrels. Also, being that close to the spike buck and watching his behavior was really cool. Additionally, the weather was mild, so I got to sit or walk around, enjoying the peacefulness and wonder of nature. While there were a million other things I could have been doing, I relished the hours I was able to simply be still, soak in the solitude, and marvel at God’s beautiful creations.

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind,” (Job 12:7-10).

Finally, the third and greatest blessing of all was the time I got to spend with my dad one-on-one. Time is fleeting, and you can’t ever get it back once it’s gone. Every moment spent together with the ones you love are priceless and beautiful. I hadn’t hunted with my dad in years, instead spending that time with others who aren’t a part of my life anymore. I’m truly sorry about that. “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom,” (Psalm 90:12).

Let us be thankful for the people the Lord places in our lives who care for, encourage, and support us, but also let us show gratitude that He removes those who don’t add any positive value to our lives or our purpose.

God did answer my prayers because, as I asked Him, He did bless my hunt. While I didn’t bring home a deer, I still brought in a harvest…one of fond memories with the man who gave me my name. That is a beautiful thing indeed.

Face Your Fears

Everyone is afraid of something, and if you say you’re not, I don’t think I would believe you.

If you know me well, you know that I am scared to death of mice. Some may find that silly, but it is a true and severe fear that I have. I am ashamed to say if you were near me when I see a mouse, you would likely see me standing on a table screaming, possibly crying, and probably cussing, because I just can’t deal.

Last year, my daughter’s then senior class held a fundraiser night of mouse racing, and I could not attend. It was like my worst nightmare come to life. I live in the country on approximately 11 acres of woodland. When it gets cold, mice try to get inside, and no matter how I try to deter them, they usually find a way in.

If you keep up with my blog, it’s no secret I’m currently going through a divorce. You don’t think about things your spouse used to do for you until they’re not around anymore. My husband was my hero when it came to getting rid of my number one fear. Now I’m the only adult in the house. My two oldest kids refuse to go near them, so unless my daughter’s boyfriend is around, I am the one who must deal with mice.

I think God has a sense of humor about these things, or maybe he just gives us what we need to get over our fears. I don’t know. What I do know is that I had to face my fear of mice multiple times these past couple of months. This disgusts me to admit, but I have caught and had to dispose of nine mice! Nine mice!

I honestly can’t believe I did it. The first one was the hardest, but I said a prayer for courage, put on some of my medical gloves, gave myself a pep talk, grabbed the edge of the mouse trap, and ran to the trash can, disposing of the mouse and trap both. Then, I took the trash out immediately.

After I did it the first time, it was easier the next and the next. Am I still afraid of mice? Yes. Will you still see me standing on a table, screaming if I see one? Probably so. However, I will face my fear and do what needs to be done because I’m the only one who can do it.

We can learn from women of the Bible who accomplished great things after facing their fears with the Lord’s help. In the book of Esther we see how Queen Esther faced the fear of death when she approached her husband, King Xerxes, unsummoned to intervene on behalf of the lives of her fellow Jews in Persia. That act of bravery saved her people.

In the book of Ruth, we can learn from Ruth who overcame her fear of the unknown when she chose to leave her people and all that she knew to travel to a foreign land with her mother-in-law Naomi, neither having anything of value to their name. This act of faith earned Ruth the honor of lineage with King David and Jesus himself.

In Genesis 29-30 we can read about Leah and her fear of rejection as she gave herself faithfully and willingly to her husband despite his love for someone else, her sister Rachel in fact. God blessed her with many children because of this.

Abigail faced the wrath of her husband and that of an entire army when she went out against his wishes to intercept King David and his soldiers, begging for forgiveness for the insult her husband caused them. Rahab faced prison or death when she lied to authorities to save the Israelite spies Joshua sent into Jericho. Mary, mother of Jesus, faced the fear of becoming a societal outcast and the fear of losing her betrothed when she put her faith in God’s plan, agreeing to birth the Savior of the world. The stories go on and on of individuals facing their fears to establish the Lord’s will.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,” (Isaiah 41:10). God gives us the strength to overcome all our fears and conquer all obstacles in life, and that is a beautiful thing.

Today, and all days, give thanks for everything…not just victories, but also for the setbacks and the wisdom and growth we gain from them. Recognize and rejoice in the blessings of answered prayers, embrace the beautiful things currently surrounding you, and cherish the time with your loved ones. Finally, don’t be afraid of your fears. Instead seek God’s help to face them head on, no matter how great the obstacle.

This world is full of beautiful things. You don’t have to look far to find them. Treasure them for the blessings they are. In the words of Benson Boone, “For a while there, it was rough, but lately, I’ve been doing better…oh God, don’t take these beautiful things that I’ve got.”

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yetno one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end,” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Have a blessed week!

-Becky