True Thanksgiving

thanks·giv·ing [thangks-giv-ing]
the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, especially to God.

If you were to ask me what I am thankful for, most Thanksgiving weekends I would respond: friends and family or living in Canada or not having to worry about where my next meal was coming from... not this Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for those things and I definitely take them fore granted often, but this year I am thankful for so much more.

I am thankful that I have a relationship with God. I've really been thinking a lot about this lately and truly don't know how I would even take a single breath without Him. He makes all the difference.

I am thankful that God is a God of miracles. My family can sure attest to this let me tell you. God has revealed His power and sovereignty to us over and over again through my dad's accident. From the time of the crash to his recover even today, I continue to see miracles through it all.

I am thankful that God spared my dad's life on September 12, despite everyone around him being confident that he wasn't going to make it. God is in control! (Can I get an AMEN!?)

I am thankful that God's mercies are new EVERY morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). God has been showing me this in a very real way this past month.

I am thankful that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He doesn't change, His faithfulness remains. Through this last month I have been constantly reminded that even though life is hard, God is still good and He is still faithful.

I am thankful that even when my dad was still so confused, God allowed His truth to remain in my dad's heart and mind.

I am thankful that through this tragedy God is using our family to be a megaphone of His love, faithfulness, and hope to some many people around us. To Him be the glory.

I am thankful that God comforts us in our pain, strengthens us in our weakness and celebrates with us in our joy.

I am thankful that in my exhaustion from balancing work and life and hospital visits God lifts me up on wings like eagles and carries me through.

Most of all though, I am thankful for the Cross. I am thankful that through the death of Jesus Christ, we can know God personally. If God had decided that my dad's time here was finished on September 12, he would have been embraced by the arms of his Saviour as he entered his eternal home (and he one day will be!).


You see, this Thanksgiving weekend I won't be enjoying a turkey dinner, pumpkin pie or sitting around a dinner table with family, but I have SO much to be thankful for. Thank.You.Jesus.