This year and a half has been filled with a lot of chaos and uncertainty.
We have been living in limbo not knowing what restrictions will come next or what will be totally shut down. We complain and grumble, but have we thanked God for all our blessings?
We are approaching Thanksgiving Day. This is a day of celebration with family and friends. As you know, last year celebrations were limited to families in one household. Some of us live alone and were unable to celebrate with friends or family. Whether alone or with family were we thankful?
Many of us go day to day through mundane chores washing dishes, cleaning, laundry and have a job. Have you thought that dirty dishes mean you have food to eat? Cleaning means you have a home or apartment/condo. Laundry means you have clothes to wear. Working means you have a job.
Many lost their jobs because of Covid shutdowns and got incomes to help subsidize the loss of employment. Were we thankful or did we complain? Yes, we all want to get back to living as we did before the pandemic.
Hopefully, this year we will be able to celebrate with loved ones and friends, and the border will be open to the U.S. allowing more families to see and hug each other for the first time in more than a year and a half. Many have been deprived of seeing parents, children, grandchildren, and other family members. Are we thankful that they are healthy? Those who lost loved ones due to covid or any illness and are grieving God is with you. He is always beside us. If we ask for healing he will hear our cries. Are we thankful?
Do we expect our prayers to be answered or are we thankful when they are?
This Thanksgiving Day take the time to give God your heartfelt thanks. All He asks of uses to be thankful, grateful, to follow Him, and to submit our will to Him. As the ‘Our Father” prayer says, “ Your will be done”. That doesn’t mean He should bend to our will, but we to His will. When we do submit doors will open and we will find peace unlike we have ever dreamed.
May you all have a blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving and enjoy this special day with God’s blessing.
Barbara Jackson ACW Diocesan Council President