As Thanksgiving approaches, it is interesting for me to think about the things that I can take for granted that I should especially be thankful for. I have a good friend who starts many of his prayers by thanking God for the ability to breathe, for a warm bed, for a healthy body, for the food that we have, etc. It’s always a good reminder for me to be thankful for all of the daily provisions that God has entrusted.
One of the blessings that I tend to take for granted is God’s Amazing Grace. As I was thinking about God’s grace, I was reminded of one of my favorite books by Charles Swindoll, The Grace Awakening. I started leafing through the highlighted pages when my eyes locked onto a particular paragraph:
“How much better to begin each day thinking victory, not defeat; to awake to grace, not shame; to encounter each temptation with thoughts like, Jesus, You are my Lord and Savior. I am Your child – liberated and depending on Your power. Therefore, Christ, this is Your day, to be lived for Your glory. Work through my eyes, my mouth, and through my thoughts and actions to carry out Your victory. And. Lord, do that all day long. When I face temptations, I will present myself to You and claim the strength You give to handle it. Sin has no authority over me any longer.”
After reading these words, I gave pause to the Lord for His Amazing Grace that is evident to me every day. Thinking about His grace and His provision is truly worthy of our daily thanksgiving and our true worship of Him. As you and your family prepare for the upcoming days with family and friends, I trust that you will set aside some purposeful time to thank the Lord for His grace and mercy. Listen to the words from Ephesians, chapter 2:
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus”.
I want to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving! I trust that your time with family and friends will be sweet and that you will remember to thank the Lord for the things that we unfortunately can take for granted – none more wonderful than His Amazing Grace!
