Thanksgiving

"For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen." Romans 11:36

What a great "Thanksgiving" verse, and it doesn't even mention the word! I am very thankful for many things, like beautiful skies and a wonderful family. But the past few days have turned my thankfulness toward truths surrounding God's character.
-His strength is sufficient--the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving Break were the most stressful of my entire academic career, yet I completed them through a continual awareness of my very real need for His strength.
-His timing is perfect--I don't think I would have been able to withstand the rigor of my responsibilities much longer than I did. Thanksgiving Break provided a necessary respite from school and refreshed me for the final sprint. And I haven't even gotten sick!
Being home with my family was special. Buddy and I enjoyed time at Sugar Hollow Park (I took a picture of him rolling down the grassy dam), and Grace, Dad and I had a great run there Thursday morning. Katie and I got in several rounds of our favorite game, Cribbage, and Mom beat me three consecutive times in Scrabble! Good thing I'm not competitive. . .
In thinking through what I am most thankful for, I cannot narrow my focus without neglecting things for which I am to be equally grateful for. "In everything give thanks...." Can I even be "most thankful"? But present circumstances have centered my thanksgiving around the truth that God allows hardships to make me more like Christ. Everything He does is done out of love. And everything is working to bring Him glory. Because of my natural bent toward self-sufficiency, I am thankful for the weaknesses He exposes in my life that force me to rely on Him rather than myself. No, the process is not the most pleasant, but how much more rewarding than to live a carefree life that bypasses the growth of dependence on God alone!
Romans 11:36 suggests a response of lifelong thankfulness. I desire to have a heart of thanksgiving long past the celebrated holiday. And I am thankful to serve a God worthy of such honor.