When Daisy asked me to write about gratitude, I thought that this would be an easy write. It’s almost Thanksgiving time, and we should have full tanks of thankfulness, right? Well… It’s been a rethink, rewrite, revise kind of writing instead. The Lord uses His Word to refine us, doesn’t He? He is the God who sees us, REALLY sees us, loves us anyway, and knows just what we need. He is the faithful Father who is in the business of conforming us to the image of His beloved Son, Jesus.  James 1:17 reminds us that: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” Sometimes, the good and perfect gift comes in a different kind of packaging than we expect.

I love scripture and have lots of favorites, but my “tie a knot and hold on” verses are found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Recently, I’ve spent some time meditating on verse 19 as well: “Do not quench the Spirit.” I’ve read this verse many times, but as I reread it this week, it went to work on my heart. Quenching the Holy Spirit sounds like serious business, and it is. As believers, remembering what Jesus did on the cross to set us free from sin should send us to our knees in thankfulness. Our Savior gave His life to redeem ours. Our lives should be saturated with gratitude for who our Lord is, what He has done for us, and knowing that He watches over us with steadfast love.

Our pastor reminded us on Sunday that nothing comes our way unless the Lord sends or allows it. He is sovereign over all things and all people. Nothing takes Him by surprise, absolutely nothing. The Lord is a good, good Father who finds no joy in our pain and suffering. Isaiah 61:2-3 tells us that our Lord came “to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Amid heartbreaking circumstances, we often plead for an easy fix. However, when we lean into our Father’s arms and cling to Him in trust, we find His faithful love and tender care. His faithfulness gives us a testimony to share with those who are hurting. Lord, refine us and give us hearts of “contagious” gratitude that we might bring glory to You and reflect Your beautiful light in a very dark world.