Thanksgiving 2023 Lesson I Learned
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
With the Thanksgiving and Christmas season quickly approaching, I am reminded of a memory from 2023. I’ll share a valuable lesson learned last year. Hosting family dinners is one of my all-time favorite things, it’s like my “love language!” I pour my heart into the details, writing out the shopping list, making my mom’s stuffing recipe several days in advance, setting the table early, and eagerly waiting for the gathering of family and friends.
Last Thanksgiving was a complete bust for us. After lots of prep to host dinner for 12 loved ones, I found myself sick just a few days before the big holiday. So I rescheduled dinner for Saturday, and everyone kindly accommodated the change. Then my husband got the same bug, and it turned out to be more severe than expected. It knocked us both down well after Saturday. Thanksgiving dinner was completely canceled, and we missed gathering with our loved ones, including the opportunity to connect with our out-of-state nephew and his sweet family. The disappointment seemed to only mount as we lay there feeling miserable and missing the many laughs we looked forward to.
After having a brief pity party for myself, I realized this was a chance to practice what scripture teaches and learn to be content in every situation. (Phillippians 4:12-13). I decided to study the life of the apostle Paul through reading “A Man of Grace and Grit” by Charles Swindoll, not a book I would typically pick up.
When thinking about Paul, it is pleasant to focus on his mission work, accomplishments in spreading the good news, and building the early church. A closer look at his story reveals great suffering and difficulties where he learned to accept his circumstances and how to persevere. Let me share a few of the highlights Swindoll writes about Paul's sufferings:
It's Ok Not to SMILE
“If a fellow believer tells you he is going through a particularly tough time, I urge you not to insist she/he smile. Sometimes we just don't feel like singing or smiling. Matter of fact, there are times it’s hypocritical to paste a smile on your face.”
Turning to God’s Word is Something We Can Do
“In God’s Word we not only discover His will for our lives, we find words of genuine comfort for those times when life comes unglued.”
According to the Bible God has a Purpose
“Certain pain enables us to comfort others specifically. It is not alway God’s will that you be healed.” (In my opinion, Swindoll should have added ‘or that trouble will end soon.’)
Our Focus
“Suffering is not about identifying the cause, it's about focusing on the response.”
Today, the disappointment of last year's Thanksgiving feels trivial compared to seasons of deeper suffering. I’ve not mastered how to walk through challenging seasons unscathed, and I confess messing up more times than not. Your painful journey--infertility, financial ruin, the pain of adultery, a cancer diagnosis--is one I may know little about, yet I want to offer you hope, not advice. Remember: God sees you, and He cares about your circumstances. He walks alongside you in every heartbreaking moment. You are not alone.
I am genuinely thankful for one long difficult season; you can read more about that HERE.
No matter what difficulties we face, they cannot separate us from God and His great love.(Romans 8:38-39) Even when we feel distant from God, we can choose to know He is with us and loves us.
Would you pray with me?
Dear Lord,
Suffering is not our desire and honestly I would rather live without. We know You promise to never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6) I ask you to bless those reading today and bring them comfort. Help them recognize Your presence and know that You see them in this season. Jesus, we have the word to tell us about Your affliction while living among the early believers. We cannot imagine the sheer agony of leaving heaven, and yet You chose that because you love us so greatly. We are grateful. Give us eyes to see a purpose in our hardships. As we ask you to turn our ashes into something beautiful, would you give us a glimpse of how you are answering our prayers? In Jesus name, Amen.
If this devotion has inspired you to reach out to someone you know, I would love to hear from you!