Forever Grateful

By Cathy Irvin
Staff Writer

CBN.com - The time has come again --that time of year to enjoy the family gathered around the table, with all the Thanksgiving trimmings. My daughter has come home after living away for 7 years. My granddaughter has just moved back to the area with her husband with my two little great-grandchildren. And one of my nieces moved back home last year after being gone for many years working in different cities. I am so grateful that they are all near me at this time.

In my childhood days, Thanksgiving Day was one of those special holidays usually with just our family and all you had to do later in the day was lie around the house because you couldn’t do much else.

We held hands and prayed for God’s bountiful blessings. We usually said grace, but not the way we did on this day. I was just glad after the meal when I helped to clear the table and wash and dry the dishes with my sister so my mother could finally relax. We all felt like an overstuffed turkey bird, saying we would never overeat again and my mother would say, “Think about the starving children in India and eat all your food on your plate before you leave the table.”

Remembering God’s faithfulness at this time of year for what he has done for me all my life and especially since I was saved over 30 years ago has made me even more grateful.

I am thankful for His grace that carried me through some difficult seasons in my life. I have heard so many messages on being thankful and grateful for God’s blessings that I realize it should never be just this one occasion of the year to reflect on the goodness of God, for every day his mercies are new and fresh and he daily loads us with benefits.

I’m forever grateful for His love, mercy and grace. I thank Him for joy and peace, my family, my job, my church, my friends, my health, my financial provision and for His faithfulness.

If we think about it, what do we really have to complain about? In light of the provisions of God we should shout about the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living as the Bible says. (Psalm 27:13) The word of God also tells us that blessings of the Lord make us rich and he adds no sorrow with it. (Proverbs 10:22)

Recently families have been separated from the hurricanes, homes have been lost in so much devastation. So what should matter most this Thanksgiving is our faith in God, reflecting on his faithfulness and provision to us, and the fact that we have our families.

Stay close to the Lord, hold your family close to your heart and remember to be thankful always. Be forever grateful on a daily basis.