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Happy Thanksgiving!

November 22nd, 2007

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against these things, there is no law.” – Galatians 5:23-24

Why am I blogging about the Fruit of the Spirit today? Because I think in order to be thankful, you must possess the fruit. Have you ever noticed that the fruit are listed in the order of their acceptance? It’s much easier to possess love than self-control. I can be joyous rather easily but I have to work on being gentle, etc.

Today I want to tell you what we are truly thankful for. This probably isn’t a shocker to you. Most people say what they are thankful for on Thanksgiving day. But I want to tell you that we are thankful every day. Each day Colby tells me who he is thankful for. And each day I pray for something I’m thankful for. So, my list is rather long… here’s a few highlights.

I am truly thankful for the health of my family. This comes at an odd time, I know, because Colby has been running fever for the past few days. But, I know very many people who have cancer or whose kids are constantly sick. I am thankful for the hope that Colby WILL get better… when I think things are tough, I think about those parents that admit their kids into the ER because their symptoms are far worse than my kids’. I’m thankful that I have never had to do so, and I pray I will never have to do so.

I am thankful for running water. (The last time I said this was 10 years ago, when my family was out of town and the hot water heater exploded above my bed, dripped down to the first floor, and did a total of $20,000 worth of damage to my parents’ house. Then, I was thankful that I got to pick new wallpaper and drapes.) In talking with some missionary friends, I really am glad to have a dishwasher, a clothes washer, and hot water to take showers. And with the cold weather coming in last night, I am looking forward to having a hot shower here soon.

I cannot be thankful enough for the freedom to worship God the way I do. I don’t take full advantage of this like I should, and right now I own more Bibles than some people ever will in their lifetime. Many people gave their lives so that I could be devoted to the church’s service and its ministry. I don’t have to be penalized for or hide my beliefs, because I can exercise them the way I want! Again, I am truly thankful for the liberty that is in Christ Jesus.

If asked, a number of people might tell you they are thankful for their family members. This is also true for us. I know Kevin would say that I am a blessing to him, as he is to me. Our children are also huge blessings. We truly understand the agony that God went through when he sacrificed his only Son for us, and we are thankful we never have to endure what He did. We don’t need to observe Christmas or Easter to remember this… it is an everyday remembrance.

So, do we possess the Fruit of the Spirit by being thankful? I know there are many more Fruit I am aspiring to possess. And, there’s other Scriptures I’m aspiring to be like.

“Be joyful always.  Pray continually.  Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s Will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Entry Filed under: Faith, Family, Life