
It’s true that there seems to be so much darkness in our world during these November days leading up to our American holiday of Thanksgiving, and I don’t just mean because the days are getting shorter and night falls earlier each day.
The pandemic continues, cases are rising, restrictions being put back into place. Election results are a mess. Vitriol and anger are still spewing forth on social media about both issues.
Tragedies and dire diagnoses of illness touch the lives of those we know and love. Our view of the near future looks uncertain, bleak, and unsettling to say the least.
It’s enough to make one throw up hands in despair and surrender and say, “Enough!! I’ve had enough!” A title from an early 1960’s musical, which I believe was eventually turned into a movie as well, comes to my mind – “Stop the world, I want to get off!”
We can’t stop the world though. We can’t put a halt to the difficulties that surround us. We don’t have that power.
But we also can’t give up. We can’t succumb to fear or despair or calamity or any other negative aspect of life. Why? Because there is always hope.
“When the world says, ‘Give up,’ hope whispers, ‘Try one more time.’ ” ~ author unknown
And hope for me comes from my faith in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit because the Triune God I believe in has the power to give me strength to endure, help to persevere, and wisdom to see blessings instead of curses.
I just must grasp my faith with all of my might, hold on, and remember to be light in the darkness.
“Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.” ~ Helen Keller
For me, the way to strengthen my faith is to humble myself in gratitude.
Am I disappointed that my entire family cannot gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing on our Thanksgiving feast at our dining room table? Of course.
But I’m thankful that my family is well. I’m thankful they all have provisions – good health, jobs, homes, enough food to keep their bodies nourished.
I’m grateful that our family is close-knit and even if we don’t agree on issues and sometimes drive each other a little crazy, we don’t suffer from unresolved conflicts and intense arguments.
Yes, my heart is thankful for each one of my family, my blessings to count – my understanding husband; my three thoughtful and loving adult children; my son-in-law and daughter-in-law, who add even more love into our family; my three adorable grandchildren who give me so much joy; my sisters, brothers-in-law, and their families.
Blessings? They are bountiful when we choose to remember them, to count them. And that abundance of life’s blessings is what I must focus upon as Thanksgiving Day arrives tomorrow.
Focus on the light instead of the darkness.
“Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” ~ Amy Collette, author
©mamasemptynest.wordpress.com 2020