Dahlia from the Biltmore Gardens

Thanksgiving is next week, and I haven't had much time to even think about it. Life has been full of caring for sick grandchildren, sick children as well as taking care of the normal routines of life. I am tired, but underneath it all is the overwhelming sense that it is God who gives meaning to everything "my hand finds to do!"

What if my life were to change? What if our nation's economy doesn't bounce back quickly? What if the trickle down effect of poor, greedy choices by those in high places, causes my daily routine to change?

The Truth remains: God is still the One I live for. He is my Father, the One in Whom I trust! I remind myself of what His Son was willing to do for me (suffering and dying on a cruel cross), so that I might live for Him. How can I complain? How can I grumble? My greatest need has already been taken care of, my sins are forgiven, and I am free to love and serve God the way He created me to do from the beginning of time.

These are the thoughts I'm choosing to meditate on this Thanksgiving. God is in control, and He alone is worthy of my heartfelt praise. Our culture encourages us to "give thanks", but often focuses on giving thanks to those we love. I want to make sure that I'm giving thanks to the only One truly worthy of Praise - Our Heavenly Father! He holds everything in the palm of His hand, yet He takes thought of you and me. What a Savior - What a Friend!

We Gather Together Hymn

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!