Enter His gates with thanksgiving
and His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him and praise His name. Ps 100:4
Traditionally November has been a time of expressing our Gratitude as we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. I think it helps us take a step back from our crazy lives and focus on all of the blessings that we have received over the year. 2020 which started as “The Year of Focus”, quickly moved into a year of the unknown and survival. But God is unchanging. The above verse is a favorite reminder of the goodness of God and our response to him. Let us enter this month with thanksgiving and praise to The Lord of All.
More than ever, each person and family’s journey has been unique this year. For some, your work-life has slowed down, enabling you to live at a slower pace; for others, work-life has intensified, and you are working crazy hours to keep up with no margin. For some, you have been able to (or forced to) bring the children home to school, which was a risk you weren’t comfortable taking before. For others, the children at home has created chaos like never before and has been quite challenging.
We have all needed to re-focus this year. As we begin to prepare for the Holidays, now is a great time to reflect on this year’s journey and express our Gratitude.
One of my commentaries defines Gratitude:
Natural expression of thanks in response to blessings, protection, or love. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, Gratitude is not a tool used to manipulate the will of God. It is never coerced or fabricated in one’s mind; rather, Gratitude is a joyful commitment of one’s personality to God.
I love the last line – a joyful commitment of one’s personality to God. Yes! God created each of us uniquely; why wouldn’t we be able and expected to express our Gratitude through our personalities!
For our daily enJoyment, the next 30 days, I will be sending a daily dose of Gratitude. The things that I am thankful for in 2020—a time of reflection and praise, and I look forward to hearing what you are grateful for in November of 2020!