In a world of #blessed and farmhouse signs, what does it really mean to be blessed? Even more so, what does it mean to be grateful? Every November, as the holiday season approaches, comes the exhausting emphasis on being thankful. It seems like everything from the news, conversations, and the collective conscious shifts to a place where we talk about our blessings. But the blessings seem to sound a little like bragging about the good things that happened this year or the nice things you were able to purchase. I am no stickler when it comes to counting blessings but I always take caution when speaking about these things because the harsh truth is so many people do not feel #blessed. There is room for both kinds of people. God has blessed us as a church family this year. God has been with us as we attempt to navigate our faith and live it out. God has been present in our worship services even when we did not show up (emotionally, spiritually, mentally, or physically). God has provided in the seen and unseen. We have had times of anxiety and concern. We might not have accomplished what we thought we should of or ought of. Blessings and hardships are not mutually exclusive. You might not know where to start, and yet, the nature of gratitude is to remember and show appreciation for and to return kindness (per dictionary.com). The way to engage in the new season might be to be ready to return kindness to others. Buy a sign for your house that “#blessed” if you must. Give praise to God for bringing you through the seasons for this year. Admit that you might not know what to say thank you for just yet. Jesus gave and continues to give so that in turn you might receive and out of that abundance, give. Henry Smith penned it perfectly in his song “Give Thanks.” While struggling to find a job and suffering from an eye condition that made him legally blind, he wrote these words:

and now let the weak say ‘I am strong’,

let the poor say ‘I am rich’,

because of what the Lord has done for us.

Give thanks…

Maybe we can start with these words.

Always Attempting to Give Thanks,

Pastor Joy