giving thanks - christina reeves

​A good chunk of my planning in November is centered around Thanksgiving.  Who will host?  What will everyone bring?  Should we add or take away dishes?  Do we need to modify for allergies? Healthier options? And when the day comes, our family comes together - different mindsets and experiences, different ages and backgrounds - deeply personal and rambunctiously communal. 😊 

So… this month, the freedom writers are joining with our nation to focus on the importance of “giving thanks”. As I was reading the Cold Springs Church Weekly, I came across this quote by Dani “A beautiful day begins with a beautiful mindset.”  I was thinking about how true this has been in my life and how it begins, for me, with gratitude.

A Story
When my husband John and I got back from our trip to Italy, he came down with COVID.  And then my mother-in-law came down with COVID.  I prayed that I wouldn’t get it so that I could care for them.  I never got sick and I was able to minister to John and Mom through meals and care.  I am so grateful that I had that opportunity to serve and I am also grateful for another gift… Through the experience, I was reminded of how much I love to serve others through food, compassion and care. I can tell you that I have not always been able to be grateful for such things.

A Quote
In Ann Voskamp’s book, 1000 gifts, she defines “eucharisteo” or the giving of thanks like this:
In the original language, “he gave thanks” reads “ eucharisteo .” The root word of eucharisteo is charis, meaning “grace.” Jesus took the bread and saw it as grace and gave thanks. He took the bread and knew it to be gift and gave thanks.

Scripture
Psalm 16 reads, (I picture David writing this with deep gratitude 😊) “LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.  The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely, I have a delightful inheritance.”
I love that David is writing this – knowing that he faced his share of trials.  It confirms in me what GOD’s Word says,” And 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) So…no matter what I face, and no matter what you face, we can “give thanks” as we see what the Lord has given us as “grace”- a gift.
This Thanksgiving, whether you are eating with others or eating alone, I pray that God will fill you with His peace as you “give thanks” in a gentle whisper, around a noisy table, or among friends.

With Love & Gratitude,
Christina