“That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving and declare all Your wonders.” Psalm 26:7 NASB

Thanksgiving

I must admit, this was hard to write this year. I know several people who lost their homes in the Carr Fire, and people who lost loved ones in it as well. I know people who fled on foot from the Camp Fire and only by the grace of God escaped the flames that took their homes and the lives of so many.

The scars on the land that surround us are reminders of the wounds within. Although our home was not threatened by the physical fire, it has been steadily warred against by the flames of hell and the enemy of our souls this past year.

And yet, there is much to be thankful for. One child has left a bad situation and come home. Another, I pray at this very moment, is starting to see the light at the end of a very dark tunnel. The joy of watching our granddaughter’s soccer season, though postponed by the smoke—ending this past weekend with her team taking 2ndplace in their league. And though we desperately need rain, these weeks of Indian summer have been amazing.

We’ll gather for Thanksgiving at my in-laws’ house—up in the mountains that are once again beautiful after a devastating fire 26 years ago, giving hope that, in time, the areas that have burned this year will be equally beautiful.

I know God loves us, and He is good all the time. But I’m feeling pretty numb right now. So, as the Casting Crowns song Praise You in This Storm* says:

“And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm”

My thankfulness doesn’t depend on the circumstances surrounding me—it comes from within, from a heart grateful to be saved from eternal separation from the God who so lovingly created me and wanted relationship so much He asked His Son to go to the Cross to restore it. As we sit around the table this Thanksgiving with saved and unsaved family members, I pray our words and actions would draw them to the Savior. I pray in the midst of sharing great food, watching football and hanging out with family—we also declare the wonders of the Lord.

“Father God, this has been a tough season. I pray for those who are spending their first Thanksgiving in unfamiliar surroundings as they have lost their homes and/or loved ones. I pray You would comfort them and bring them peace. Please give us the words to share Your love with our unsaved friends and family members. Thank you for Your unending grace and mercy. Amen.”

*CCLI Song # 4543620, Bernie Herms | Mark Hall © 2005 My Refuge Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Word Music, LLC (Admin. by WB Music Corp.) BanaHama Tunes (Admin. by Word Entertainment, LLC)