Happy Thanksgiving #25...

This might be the day to which all our Thanksgiving posts have pointed, but the practice of daily gratitude is not one to be neglected. Ever. The world fosters and mentors an entitlement attitude towards the daily conveniences and common graces. We believe, mistakenly, that somehow we are owed what we receive by God's providence which sets us up for complaints when we do not.

I've been reading some selections out of John Flavel's book The Mystery of Providence. I appreciate the challenge that he gives to readers to look at every event, whether blessing or affliction, as the necessary providence of God not for our ease but for our good. That's a humbling thing when the receipt is in regards to affliction. Blessing gets the better press.

Last night was a rough night for me in this recovery phase. I find myself this morning feeling beat up by the night. Intensity of affliction is magnified at 3:00 a.m. and takes its toll on me throughout the day. I'd like to complain. Maybe you read my previous statements as complaint. Instead hear my observation that thanksgiving is still in order.

My family is all home together. Husband is particularly gentle in his ministrations to me today because he cared for me through the night. We both look forward to a long, restorative afternoon nap. My mother-in-law is sacrificially helping today in all the cooking and preparing that I am not able to help with at all. The boys are taking on extra responsibilities with good cheer and attitude.

I have much to be thankful for in these providences of God. He is not my counsel for constant ease and blessing. He is my counsel and Sovereign Lord for my good and His glory. Remembering the point of every event in this perspective means thanksgiving and not complaint is the first to be mentioned.

Today I am thankful for the providences of God that have eternity in view, not the temporal. I hope that your thanksgiving day is one that experiences the glory of God!