Gratitude

Reflections on the Journey

Psalm 92:1-2 NKJV

¹ It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
² To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night,

Thanksgiving

Two years ago (November, 2023), Kayden was diagnosed with Leukemia and hospitalized 3 days before Thanksgiving. We spent Thanksgiving in the hospital that year. The life and health of Kayden took the place of everything else that season. All planning for dinner, thoughts of who would come over, concerns of the house being clean, having enough food, etc. abruptly stopped. What I thought was important all of a sudden didn’t matter anymore. Nikayla (11 years old at the time) couldn’t be with me. CJ (21 years old at the time) was between caring for sister, the house, and the hospital. He was such a huge help. Kris (21 years old at the time) was on leave from the Army and home for the Thanksgiving. The plans of having all four of my Blessings home for dinner changed.

At that time in the hospital, I was constantly fighting back fear. I was thanking God for Kayden’s life and praying about what to do. I was decreeing and declaring Kayden had life, and he would live and not die. On that Thanksgiving it felt like ten minutes wouldn’t go by without thought- be it negative or positive. When I say I was constantly praying, reading scripture, or listening to praise and worship music, that’s exactly what I mean. I had to in order to keep my mind off of the what ifs and off of death. Being in a hospital during a holiday like Thanksgiving and it’s your child in the hospital bed… there’s a mix of making everything as alright as possible for them (though not home or surrounded by family) and staying strong for them while holding back a cry. I soon learned to pray and praise.

During that holiday, it opens my eyes to the blessings around me. I have not looked at Thanksgiving the same since then. Before this time, I took many things for granted, and many times I didn’t see life as a miracle. You hear no day is promised. You hear life is short. You hear all these things. Until we had lived that life-altering time, many blessings were overlooked and a lack of gratitude was present. Now, my thankfulness runs deeper, not just around Thanksgiving, but daily. I thank my God for life and mean it. I used to say thank you, but not always. Sometimes, I rushed in the thanks as if it didn’t matter.

Thanksgiving is an action.

We are to give thanks. Whether in hospital or surrounded by family and friends, life can be unpredictable. Even when everything goes as planned, or everything seems to be going wrong there’s an act of gratitude we as believers are to have at all times. Gratitude is a heart posture and it is a choice.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP

¹⁸ 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. 

Gratitude is a choice.

A couple days ago, when decorating the house with the kids, I noticed myself focusing too much on getting things done. I was too concerned with getting things being right. I had to stop. My focus was off. Last night (day before Thanksgiving), it happened again. I stopped. My focus was off. I had to remind myself to be grateful. Gratitude is a choice.

This week when we went shopping for a Christmas tree, Kayden put the big tree box in the car. I was thankful. There was a time he couldn’t go in a store because of his immune system being low. There was a time he wouldn’t have been able to lift that heavy of a box because he didn’t have the strength.

This week, I had to take him shopping. Both he and his sister have grown, so it wasn’t a want, but a need. What a blessing. Kayden. I was thankful. Nikayla grew and needed clothes. Though this is more challenging due to the length of those legs, I’m grateful. I choose to not worry about where the money is going to come from to get what’s needed. I choose gratitude.

This week Kayden told me he wanted the inside of the house lit up like the Rhema lights. He was determined. So… the whole downstairs is lit up. He put lights up everywhere. As I watched him and helped him hang them, I was so thankful.

This week family and friends came over. We had our Thanksgiving dinner last night Wednesday night), and Kayden was having a wonderful time. We all did. It brought me joy to watch him. It brought me joy to be home and to cook. Truly grateful.

As I’m typing this, tears have come. I see the miracles in it all. I no longer view Thanksgiving the same. It’s not just because of our 2023 Thanksgiving, but the blessed reminder of how great my God is. He desires my thanksgiving. I thank God we are not a thousand miles away. I thank God Kayden is here and well. I thank God all four of my Blessings are alive. I thank God we are not in the hospital. The Lord is loving and He is kind. He is faithful and He is our strength. He is our healer and our deliverer. Everyday is a miracle. Everyday, I will be thankful.

Gratitude. How deep does it go for you?

What actually matters more right now? How beautifully decorated the house is or how pleased God is with how we portray His light daily in the earth? Does it matter more how impressed everyone is with your indoor/ outdoor decor or how the Lord sees your faithfulness to Him in and out of this season? When we give thanks, is it quick so we can eat? Are we showing our children how to be grateful for the little things and the big things- like life, health, and strength?

I noticed Paul reminded all the churches give thanks. Thanksgiving is important in all circumstances. I took time to read the scriptures about thanksgiving and it reminded me that in life… whether with family and friends or in hospital, whether traveling or home… Give thanks.

Today being Thanksgiving, I pray our focus is not just on food or family. I pray it’s not just on what we’ve lost or what we’ve gained in earthly goods. I pray it’s not just on catching that Black Friday sale. I pray our focus is on Almighty God. I pray we realize and recognize the gift of life. I pray our actions and our deeds show His light and love to all around us- to those we know and those we don’t. I pray our hearts are full of gratitude when things don’t go as planned or when all goes well.

With eyes on Jesus and a heart of praise… Give thanks everyday.

Reminders for the Journey

Ephesians 5:18-21

¹⁸ And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another in the fear of ^[a]God.

Philippians 4:6

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:17

¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Romans 6:17

¹⁷ But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.

2 Corinthians 4:15

¹⁵ For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.