Coming up
with a new idea for a Thanksgiving blog is a challenge. It’s always fun to share
our favorite Thanksgiving memories, our favorite recipes, our multitude of
blessings for which to be thankful, what we’re thankful for, and even our
attempts to relax and enjoy the day before plunging into Black Friday Christmas
shopping. These are all good things that touch our common humanity, but weren’t
quite what I wanted to say. (Above are some of our homemade Thanksgiving decorations.)
As I prayed
for something fresh to write, this simple thought occurred to me: Giving thanks
is not for the benefit of the Person one is thanking but for the benefit of the person giving thanks. Worship,
praise, and thanksgiving are woven together to form a strong cord that ties us together in a loving, growing relationship with God. Therefore, God desires our heartfelt praise and sincere
thanksgiving not because He needs it but because we need it to bring us closer to Him. Psalm 50:23 (KJV) says, “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth
Me; and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation
of God.” This salvation the Lord grants us includes changing the way we view things. When we
focus on the Giver instead of the gifts, we see the world and our own lives in
proper perspective, God’s perspective. The reward? Peace in our hearts and an assurance of God's continuing presence.
Dear God,
Thank you
for my life in a free country, the United States of America, and the patriotic
heritage You have given me. Thank You for dreams come true and dreams deferred
by Your wisdom. Thank you for my loving family. Most of all, thank You for
salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.What are you thankful for this year? As you offer your thanks to the great Giver, let His Spirit fill you with worship and praise so you can see the world and your life through His eyes.
I'm so thankful for my family. Here are my daughter Jane and granddaughter Savannah making something yummy for Thanksgiving dinner.
Award-winning
Florida author Louise M. Gouge writes historical fiction for Harlequin's Love
Inspired imprint. In addition to numerous other awards, Louise is the recipient
of the prestigious Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award for her 2005 novel, Hannah Rose. With her great love of
history and research, Louise has traveled to several of her locations to ensure
the accuracy of her stories’ settings. When she isn't writing, she and her
husband love to visit historical sites and museums. Her 2011 Love Inspired Historical Regency novella, The Gentleman Takes a Bride,
earned second place in the prestigious Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Louise has now turned her attention to her old home in Colorado, and her first Love Inspired Historical western will be released in June 2014. Please
visit her Web site at http://blog.Louisemgouge.com
Posts
We dont have thanks giving in Australia. Being diagnosed with an complaint that I am learning I will need to learn to live with and could take awhile to get the pain under control I sometimes get the why me but then I think. This probably was started when I was bowled over playing field hockey 15 years ago. I am so thankful it didn't show up til now and that I got to visit America this year before this hit. Im thankful for a dr who cares and is helping me and understands when I feel low. I am thankful for the Physio who helps to control my pain.
ReplyDeleteIm thankful that this is not life threatening and that God is in control
Mostly I am thankful for everyone who is praying for me.
Very thought provoking post, Louise. We have so much to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteJenny, I want to see you dressed up in your field hockey uniform :)
ReplyDeleteI actually do have a couple of photos back from the day!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comments, Jenny and Pameal. No matter what the day, we can all be thankful for the Lord's love and His many blessings!
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