When I think about the month of November, I instantly feel more at peace. In my mind, it glows. Sunshine reflected off gold and amber leaves make the short days glisten. The longer nights invite me to light candles in my home. We spend our weekends being warmed by campfire and my heart is warmed each time one of my children’s cold toes meets mine under a cozy blanket in front of the fireplace.
November is a pause button – the quiet before the bustle of Christmas preparations. We welcome friends and family to our table for Thanksgiving. I can almost hear the laughter around the table as I think about the feast. Mostly, November reminds me that gratitude alters life in the best ways. When I think of the life altering power of thanksgiving, I often think of Paul and Silas in jail (Acts 16). When they began to praise and give God thanks, their chains were literally broken. I think about the chains that try to imprison me and their story inspires me to enter into Thanksgiving. Gratitude is motivating and powerful.
This year seems gloomier. The weight of world events are attempting to entangle my heart. It can be burdensome to watch the news and my heart hurts for the orphan, the refugee, our American society. However, November is here and I’m pausing and I’m finding peace. The Psalmist said:
“Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100: 3-5
I find this Psalm reason enough to be grateful. Today, find time to pause. Meditate on this scripture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and there, in the place to gratitude, you’ll find life’s beauty.
~ Trisha Bowman
Christ Fellowship member