The
past three months have been a difficult time for my family and I. A lot of
trials and tribulations have come our way. Several deaths and multiple health scares
have been affecting my family, bringing with them fearful emotions we have not
felt in years.
As
the smell of turkey was in the air yesterday, the atmosphere of Thanksgiving
was different. I am not talking about how we had a tasty maple bourbon pecan
pie or how 13 family members joined as one for dinner for the first time in
years. The air was different; unforeseen comfort seemed to be floating
throughout my childhood home.
After
Thanksgiving dinner, we went outside to throw the football. The laughs of my
two cousins echoed throughout the backyard. My dad decided to start a bonfire.
The fire encompassed the backyard; a single flame was illuminated. The wood began
to crackle beneath the fire. In an unexplainable moment, silence fell
throughout the backyard. The giggles and jokes ceased. Family was equally and
perfectly spaced around the fire. For the first time in months, I felt peace. Maybe
it was the comfort of a warm fire or being full from a home cooked meal, but I
think it was the comfort of our heavenly Father and being surrounded by family.
Every
now and then I physically feel God’s presence in my life. And Thursday night
around that fire with my family, God was there. As we wrapped around the fire,
I think the arms of God were wrapped around us as well. At the end of the day,
three things matter the most: health, faith and family. Yesterday was filled
with lots of things to be thankful for. This year however, I thought maybe
instead of being thankful we should give praise to the one who has given us
this abundant and incredible life. So why do we get down when things do not go
our way? Why are we fearful and full of resentment when bad and unexpected
things happen? God has never failed my family or myself, so why did I think He
would not give me peace yesterday?
Someone
once told me, “Every life is long enough.” So shouldn’t we spend every day
glorifying and praising God for the life He has given us right now?
“Yet I am writing you
a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.”
– 1 John 2: 8
