Dear Family and Friends,

Someone hit our parked car in a parking lot this week. And chose to not leave a note.

Our grandson first saw the damage – it was eye level for him. As for me, I was a grouch for the rest of today.

Then I read this verse to prepare our hearts for Thanksgiving.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Ouch. If I allow something like scratches on a car to bother me, how am I supposed to deal with the serious storms of life?

How do we rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances?

Start with recognizing that these are choices we can make – that directly affect our wellbeing.

I chose wrong. I was a grouch – with no joy. I was thinking only of myself. And giving thanks never crossed my mind.

So, what can we do when life tries to steal our joy?

Choose to rejoice. Rejoicing in the Lord is an act of defiance against this dark world filled with selfish people.

Hang onto the promises of God, that He is with us and for us always. That even in the midst of seemingly hard times:

“…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28 NIV

Mother Teresa, who lived and served in a very dark part of the world, shared this: “Gratitude to God is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy.”

Next, what does it mean to pray continually?

Muslims pray five times a day. Jews pray three times a day. This is not what Paul was saying we do.

Rather, Paul is encouraging us to be in constant communion, relationship and fellowship with the Lord.

When something good happens, thank the Lord for the blessing. When something not so good happens, thank the Lord for the blessing to come.

Which leads us to how do we give thanks in all circumstances?

It’s important to note that Paul did not say give thanks for all circumstances. He was not suggesting we give thanks for the bad things that happen to us.

He suggests instead that we choose to give thanks in the midst of challenging times.

Also note that giving thanks means to do something. Giving thanks is a reaction to a feeling called gratitude.

So, how do we give thanks in all circumstances?

As we approach Thanksgiving let’s consider doing more than blessing the food. Let’s show the Lord just how grateful we are. 

If you’re looking for ideas, consider making this prayer by Saint Francis your prayer for the months to come.

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
when there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand,
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying [to ourselves] that we are born to eternal life.”
Saint Francis of Assisi

Praying that your week be filled with gratitude and thankfulness. And that no one hits your car in the parking lot.

In love always,