Monthly Message 

Give Thanks

November gives us the opportunity to reflect on everything God has placed in our lives, with an emphasis on giving thanks. Believing in God allows us to be thankful when things go well and patient when things go against us. It is crucial at the times when things are going against us to thank God for granting us the learning experience he has placed in front of us. Sometimes in the moment, it is hard to see God’s greater plan for you and to trust in him. Remaining patient during harder times allows us to completely retain the lesson that God is trying to teach us. Paul sums things up this way. He says it is God’s will for us to be thankful “in all circumstances.” Well, it may help to note that Paul is not saying we should be thankful for all circumstances, but in them. When things seem to go against us, God expects us to be grateful that his hand holds us and helps us to cope. That’s a big challenge – to look for reasons to be thankful when the going is tough. At the moment I am watching my Mum fade away in front of my eyes, due to a rapid decline with her Alzheimer’s, finding things to be thankful for is hard right now but I have challenged myself to write down three things I am grateful for every day and place them in a jar to read again later, when maybe things aren’t so tough. Sometimes it can be equally difficult for us to be thankful when things are going well. So why don’t you try and say thanks a little more this November and be a bit more reflective, maybe even follow me in writing down three things to be thankful for each day, as we look towards the advent season ahead.
Rebecca Washington