THANKSGIVING

There are so many ideas that comes to mind once the Month of October hits. I think of what crafts I should make, what food I should cook for Thanksgiving, and I also start planning on what to buy for presents.

November is the start of Holiday events, in short it starts to get busy.

But how many times do we sit still, welcome God's presence and just give thanks to Him that we made it this far this year? As I reflect on the past few years, I realize how much I have focused on "preparing" for the Holiday season. Being busy trying get everything set up became an "idol". I focused too much on making sure that the menu is perfect and the decorations are on point. Thanksgiving Day is not even something that I grew up celebrating, but it consumed so much of my time that I forgot the real meaning of it.

What does it mean anyway? Wikipedia says that it is celebrated as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. That’s good to know... But the will of Jesus is for us to give thanks in ALL circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) He didn’t say give thanks only when it’s convenient. Give thanks to God even when it hurts to say it. It is easier said than done that is for sure. God wants to use me to testify that even in the midst of a deadly cancer. I give thanks to God because He is God first and foremost. He knew me even before the world was created. I give thanks because God is a provider, I have witnessed over and over how He has provided not only financially but in all aspects of my life.

We found out that our insurance company is covering my visit to Dana-Farber in Boston when they wouldn’t normally cover an out of network provider. That would’ve cost us thousands of dollars if we had to pay out of pocket. God provides in a way you can’t even begin to imagine.

I give thanks to God because He is a healer. The tissue test to determine if a certain genetic mutation exist in my body came back as positive. You can call me crazy but I was dancing around earlier in my living room out of joy because God heard our prayers. Positive on this test means, NO CHEMOTHERAPY, I will just take a pill a day to reverse the mutation and potentially the tumor will shrink. I still have cancer, but God gives me hope by shedding a light in this dark season of my life. The journey ahead of us is still rocky and long, but I will still give thanks to God in all my circumstances.

I give thanks to God for many things, he is a good father, a teacher, a savior and everything good that there is. He is constant and unwavering, just and firm, He is my strong tower, my cornerstone.

I honestly don’t know how people go through hardships in life without God. My goal is to be used by God to be a light and show people that they don’t have to do it on their own. I want to be that beacon of hope for others and to bring glory to God alone. A good friend of mine is witnessing what I am currently going through and God is stirring something in her heart through my testimony. And I am honored to be a part of it. I encouraged her to write her testimony because one day God will use that in a mighty way. All of us have purpose, a divine position which God has placed us to partake. He pursues us on a daily basis, it’s up to us to turn to Him.

If there’s anyone today who is struggling with whatever you’re dealing with, try focusing on who God is. Be grateful because the struggles that you are facing now are just reminders that you are still alive, and there is still time and opportunity to take God’s offer of forgiveness and mercy. If nothing else is working, try asking God to fill you with His presence. Don’t focus on your problems, focus on what God can do through your problems.

Thank you,

Wanderer