When I reflect on giving thanks, I often think of two passages of scripture. The first is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 which says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. And Ephesians 5:20 which says, “always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

Guess what both verses have in common?

Yep, you guessed it.

God tells us to give thanks in ALL things. Not just some things. Not just the easy or the happy things. All things, and all circumstances.

It is a common tradition that some families on Thanksgiving Day go around their tables one by one sharing something specific that they are thankful for. But what about thanking God even in the mundane days? In the hard trials we go through? In the simple joys of our commute to pick up the kids from school or in our child's words? On rainy and cold Monday mornings when going to work is the last thing we would like to do? In the common conversations at the store? How do we live in awe and thanksgiving even in the smallest moments?

This holiday season looks significantly different than the ones we have had prior to COVID-19. In fact, in all honesty, I have recently caught myself feeling especially bitter as Thanksgiving and Christmas roll quickly around the corner. You may relate to experiencing these same feelings.

It is difficult to think that some families all around the world do not have the opportunity this year to meet together. It is sad to hear of families who have lost loved ones due to COVID-19 and mourning their passing. It is disappointing not to be able to see the smiles and laughs of the people I love with masks on.  And it makes me feel disheartened seeing politics seemingly fill news headlines and seeing the lives of Americans become so grief-stricken and disunified.

Or maybe, just maybe, you are too afraid to live in the present knowing the pain, the hurt, and the grief that sets in when you are not in a hurry. When you are not aimlessly running around to social gatherings, but you are stuck at home alone with your thoughts and feelings.

But dear friends, do you know what keeps me filled with gratitude this season amid all the hardships and emotional moments?

It is the reality that God is in everything. What keeps me hopeful is the truth that God fully understands and is aware of our pain. He intently hears our cries for help. He relates to these deep heartaches we all are experiencing but we may not want to talk about or admit it to ourselves.

Our lives are so full if we really open our eyes and bear in mind what we have around us. Both big and small changes as well as blessings wisp through life ever so subtly that they fly right past our eyes to even recognize them.

In Ann Voskamp’s popular book, One Thousand Gifts, her carefully crafted writing, has enlightened me to see that is that the practice of giving thanks is what multiplies our joy and makes any life large. Not only does she invite the reader to make a list of a whopping one thousand things they are thankful for, but she also shares the secret to living life to the fullest: Eucharisteo.

Here is the breakdown of it:

Charis – Grace
Eucharistia – Thanksgiving
Chara – Joy

Grace, thanksgiving, joy. Eucharisteo.

She says, I look for the ugly beautiful, count it as grace, transfigure the mess into joy with thanks and Eucharisteo leaves.”

I have never heard the phrase, ugly beautiful before reading this book! What an insightful thought though: knowing that amid our messy lives, God is working something out beautifully behind the scenes.

Voskamp says, “While I may not always feel joy, God asks me to give thanks in all things, because He knows that the feeling of joy begins in the action of thanksgiving.”

The feeling of joy begins in the action of thanksgiving.

Living in the Lord’s presence is fullness of joy! (Psalm 16:11). Gratitude makes joy possible. God is the embodiment of joy. Joy is from God. The joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

I give you full permission to slow down this season. To see and feel the weight of what full attention feels like in a moment. To put the phone down. To stop documenting, and to look your child, your spouse, your friends, your siblings in the eyes. To remember these moments. It’s by living in the moment when we see the true fullness of the life God has created for us. And we cannot live a full life until we realize that contentment and happiness are found in Christ alone.

Whatever your thanksgiving looks like this year, may you stop and remember the Lord’s all sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12:9). Remember his peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Remember His faithfulness and recount all his marvelous deeds (Psalm 9:1).

Let go of your control.
Let go of what you thought this year would look like.
Let go of your expectation of what a so-called perfect holiday looks like.
Let go of your fears and anxiety of what the future holds.
And lean into God’s open hands.
Lean into His peace and His presence.
Fight for joy instead of sitting in your grief.
Let gratitude and thanksgiving surprise you.
Allow room for some grace for yourself and others. 

Make gratitude a part of your lifestyle (not just one day out of the year!) and count the Lord’s graces along the way. I pray you can see, think, and feel joy from Christ deeply this Thanksgiving season.