Thanksgiving looked a little bit different this year. My first Thanksgiving away from my family.
The evening before Thanksgiving day my heart was broken. I realized that I wasn’t going to wake up in the morning and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade with my mom, eat my Grammy’s delicious cooking, watch Christmas movies all day, or spend quality time with my family.
So I cried out to the Lord. I have learned that when hard times come, it is so much easier to just run to the Lord first instead of questioning His goodness. He is my comforter.
I glanced down and saw the tattoo on my forearm that says, eucharisteo.
In the original language, “He gave thanks” reads “eucharisteo”. The root word of eucharisteois charis, meaning “grace.” Jesus took the bread and saw it as grace and gave thanks. The bread that represents His body, broken for our transgressions. He took the bread and knew it to be a gift and gave thanks.
“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’” (Luke 22:19)
Eucharisteo also holds its derivative chara, meaning “joy”. So joy comes from giving thanks to God for His grace. Grace is always present, thanks can always be given, so joy is always in our grasp.
One of my favorite authors, Ann Voskamp, writes “…life change comes when we receive life with thanks and ask for nothing to change.”
I woke up Thanksgiving morning and was challenged to thank God for something that feels hard.
What?? A good Father wouldn’t give His child something hard, would He? If we’re in pain wouldn’t God want to come rescue us?! Rend Collective said it best with, “We don’t think He does want us to suffer, but perhaps sometimes He desires to be our joy”.
Thursday morning I thanked God for the hard. I thanked Him for bringing me to Cambodia and allowing me to spend Thanksgiving with my family in Christ. I thanked Him that my home is not a physical place, but my home is found in Him. I thanked Him for His grace that covers all my sin and makes me a new creation in Him.
And it was one of the best Thanksgivings yet!! So much joy, love, and peace that surpasses all understanding filled my day.
I challenge you to practice thanksgiving, not only one day of the year, but every single day. Thank God for the hard. Thank Him that our joy is not found in our circumstances, but in Christ alone.
I love that you found your home is in Christ. You will always have special places and special people here on this Earth, but when we find our home in Him contentment and gratitude flow. Thanks for sharing your heart and your struggles. It’s good to see God meeting you where you are and drawing you closer to Him every day. Keep pressing in to Jesus.
Gracie, your post is amazing! All of my morning devotions have been about being thankful to my God everyday! For the good and for the hard times! I know in the hard times I see Him and talk to Him more! My prayers are with you! Seems as though time is passing so fast! You will be back with us before you know it! Love you!
Gracie, you are wise beyond your years, not just being studious but wisdom in knowing what to do in times of trouble and dispair. Sometimes we talk to God in a last resort, I’m happy to see that you use Him as a map to move forward and not dwell on not being with your family. I love you and I’m praying for you.
So thankful for you and what God is doing in your life. You were missed tremendously this week but knowing you are in God’s hands and doing what He called you to do is such a blessing… love and miss you bunches!
We missed you so much this year. However, God has big things for you and that makes it a little easier to bear. I hope you know how much of a blessing you are to your family and friends. Love you. Yes
Gracie I love this. In Christ alone is where we will find all things to be thankful for. Also I’ve always wondered what your tattoo said. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for the lesson from your tattoo…I love it! It’s hard to be away from family during the holidays but what a blessing that you are all in this together. It has been a difficult week but God is good! Love you!
Gracie, what a beautiful testimony of answered prayer in difficult situations, and coming from a young lady with an old soul. Some of us are just now beginning to learn how to totally lean on the Lord in hard times. Our Thanksgiving was definitely different this year, but He gave us the strength and comfort that we needed. You young lady, are an inspiration to all of us old and young. Keep looking to the Father for your strength and courage. Love and prayers.