LIVING GRATEFUL... A Thanksgiving Reflection

It’s only a day away from one of my favorite holidays- THANKSGIVING.

But in this part of the world, Thursday will be just another Thursday. There will be no turkey to carve. No smells of stuffing or pecan pie to fill the room. No football games to watch after a big feast. 

But one thing will be the same … I will be giving thanks!!!

I want more than ever to live a GRATEFUL life- one of constant thanksgiving.  

1 Thessalonians 5:8

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus

Why should I give thanks always? Gratitude and thanksgiving gives glory and honor to our God. Life is a gift and we have been given God WITH US, and a redeemed story to live, a global family as our team, a mission to complete, and an eternity ahead with our God. Those are huge reasons to give thanks!

But sometimes, life gets busy and stressful. Our giving thanks and living grateful lessens. Sometimes there seems to be more darkness than light. More despair than hope.  Watching recent events from my country on the internet about  Ferguson, Missouri- brings sadness and things look dark. But darkness is not the end of our story, or of our world.

A few weeks ago, God reminded me in a unique way about His light in darkness.

Power (electricity) is not consistent here in our area. Some days you go home and there’s nothing but darkness in your part of the city. You are thankful at these times for solar lights and long-wick candles- for even a small amount of light makes a huge difference. 

Well, recently, an odd thing happened several days in a row.  I noticed our electric sockets worked, but not our lights.  So many people sat in the dark on our compound, not realizing the lights were out, but the sockets were hot.

That weird occurrence made me think about how on life’s journey- at many times, I sat in the dark. There were times when I felt alone or afraid or sad or discouraged.  Life’s circumstances can bring darkness into your heart or season. Maybe a bad work situation or a broken relationship. Maybe a closed door or one of life’s hallways (transitions)…makes you feel in the dark and you don’t see the way out yet.  There are lots of shadows and dark valleys to pass through.

But in those times, even if it’s dark, our wiring – our internal ability to stay connected and charged- is ON, our power source remains HOT. We can CONNECT ALWAYS to our Father in heaven who lives in us and gives hope, joy, peace, unconditional love…that can weather any storm, light any darkness, and see us through any season.  

2 Samuel 22:29

You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.

John 1:4

In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it

Psalm 139:11-12

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

Hebrews 4:15-16

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.  Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

There is ABUNDANT grace, ABUNDANT provision, ABUNDANT power, ABUNDANT light and life that we’ve inherited as God’s family. May we connect, stay connected, and let His light shine in us.  This light, even when the outer lights seem OFF in our circumstances, can SHINE. And can be a testimony to others of our God.

Isaiah 9:1-2

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

Isaiah 42:16

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

Colossians 1:13

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves…

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

 

Each day, may my life display a deep gratitude to God!  God can give us a NEW song,  LIVING hope, BRIGHT LIGHT to see by and give to others in any darkness. May we plug in and feel that love and encouragement this Thanksgiving and holiday season, and share these with others!

Psalm 40:3

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.

1 Peter 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…

Psalm 107

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story…

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, but I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Each day, may we live grateful lives!

Happy Thanksgiving!

With Love and Gratitude always!

Holly

PRAYER REQUESTS

-Things continue to be busy here. Please continue to pray for my classes and students. My seminary classes run on a western calendar so I’ll be finishing those classes in the next month. Pray that my two seminary classes will have a good finale and that students will do well on final exams and assignments.

-I will be traveling home for Christmas. Please pray safety for that and a good time of rest at home with my family.

-Keep my sister in prayer as she travels home as well. It will be great to be together again for the holidays!

Thank you for your prayers!!!

The POWER OF A PAUSE ...

Sometimes life can get VERY busy.  Time can speed by. And before you know it, a season has passed.  You realize you're another year older or even a decade older. 

Last week I celebrated my birthday and that caused me to take a big PAUSE in the busyness.  How old am I now? I screamed at the calculation. Goodness. My students helped me celebrate and I took time to pause and reflect.

one of many cakes my students gave me :-)

4th year IT students, sung me Happy Birthday, they made me smile :-)

What had I learned on life’s journey so far? What was God teaching me? How could I best maximize my remaining time on earth? 

Pauses can be powerful. Sometimes life’s circumstances can cause you to pause, to be still. Maybe a birthday or a new year causes you to look behind and plan ahead. Maybe an unexpected illness happens and you pause to prioritize. Maybe a job change occurs. Or a child is born.  The change, the miracle, causes a pause. Maybe a sunset or sunrise makes you catch your breath and be still. To take it in. To look deeply.  To think.

God has been reminding me as my fall schedule has gotten extremely busy the past few weeks that I need to make sure I’m taking strategic pauses in my day.  That I’m taking time to be still and place myself before God so I can see Him, hear Him, and lean on Him to get His perspective, His peace. Also to make sure I’m still going the right way and living each day to its fullest.   I need God’s help to be effective in teaching here and to not get overwhelmed by all there is to do. 

Here are the classes that I'm humbled to teach this fall ... 

Environmental Science and Food Science Students

Marketing and Management Students

IS and IT Students

Architecture Students

my Intro to Missions Seminary class

my Intro to Youth Ministry, Seminary class

Sometimes in the busyness, you can forget to catch your breath.  But catching your breath is important. Maybe you take a walk or lay in a field and look at the clouds. Watch kids play a game of futbol (soccer) or go for a drive. Maybe you get up early to watch the sunrise or go outside and watch the sun set.  To still your inner spirit is important. For in a pause, God can speak to you, refresh you in that stillness. In these times, His peace, perspective, hope, and love can be experienced.

Sunrise, one of my favorite times of day

Psalm 46:1, 10

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…; Be still and know that I am God….

Isaiah 30:15

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…

I believe in a pause, God can help you SEE.  Where are you? What are you doing? How are you acting? What path are you going down? Pauses can help give clarity to the road you’re on.  It’s so easy to end up down a wrong path before you even know you had turned.  

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight

Exodus 15:13

In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them…

John 10:3

The Shepherd knows His sheep by name and leads them out.

Joel 2:13

…Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…

God can help you see the path

I believe in pauses, you can also HEAR.  Sometimes we get so busy and distracted, that we can’t hear God’s voice clearly.  When we slow down and take a pause, God can speak to us in those quiet moments.

Isaiah 30:21

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Hebrews 3:7

Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…

John 10:3

His sheep follow Him because they know His voice

God can also help you REFLECT in a pause. Do you remember where you’ve come from, the lessons God has taught you, the seasons God has seen you through? These memories can bring humility and gratitude.

In reflecting on my overall life this past week, I was deeply humbled in remembering the times I had fallen down.  Through so many seasons I remembered how God carried me through valleys and droughts and over mountains and how He continues to be my God, my friend, in each day. He wants us to remember the journey and that He’s with us.

Deuteronomy 8:2-11

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert all these years to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, … to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell… be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God…

Psalm 103:2

Praise the Lord all my soul and forget not all His benefits…

In reflecting, I also remembered my family and felt great gratitude for their years of love, support and encouragement through changing seasons.

God can bring many things to mind in the pauses about our journey behind. And those memories can be for our good.

God can also give you CLEAR DIRECTION for the way ahead when you pause to seek His leadership. 

He is able to show you the way to go.  Many days we sit at a crossroads of decision. To continue or to stop? To end something or begin? To go or to stay? God has the wisdom you need in all. For relationships, jobs, ministry….  He can show you His plan and the best way ahead.

Matthew 7:7-8

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Jeremiah 29:11-12

For I know the plans I have for you, …plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. .. call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart….

Matthew 6:33-34

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…do not worry…

Often in pauses, there’s the temptation simply escape from ALL.  To disconnect from God and stress so you don’t have to face the situation at hand. Maybe you don’t want to see, hear, reflect, or get direction.  Maybe you just want to sleep in a pause or watch a movie, to put it all away from you.

May we not forget that God is WITH us and is FOR us. He is able to help us past anything we're facing, get us through any season, any job, any discouragement. He can recharge us, renew us, if we allow Him to, if we seek Him. We can come out of a pause with new perspective, a fresh word, humility, gratitude, direction, and His strength. 

John 15:4

Remain in me and I will remain in you!

Isaiah 40:28-31

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God…He will not grow tired or weary…He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.

May we take strategic pauses each day to look to our God! And continue to give Him our best on the journey!  

Praises-Prayer Requests

- Happy Birthday this past week to my beautiful Mom (10-27) and my sister Noel (10-29). We are all so thankful for another year of life on earth!!! And a big praise for my Dad, he’s doing great and we love him so much!

-Please pray for my classes and teaching, that God will give me good favor and wisdom in teaching the 210 students I have each week.

-Please pray for good health.  Rainy season has ended, sun and dust have returned in full force.

-Please pray for a work-visa approval my school is processing for me. We hope to see that come through successfully this week.

-Please keep my sister in prayer as she continues to be here through Christmas- that God will bless her time as she serves in different projects and please pray God gives her direction for her way ahead. She is a blessing!

My sister Noel on a recent trip to South Sudan

Thank you for your prayers!  Blessed November to you!