THANKSGIVING GREETING
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
Today is the third consecutive Thanksgiving Day we spent away from family. It's always a challenge for us because family holiday gatherings for both of us have been part of our family traditions. Two years ago, our first year in Yuma, we spent Thanksgiving in the hospital with Jo Ann recovering from a heart attack. Last year we let Golden Corral prepare our Thanksgiving feast as we shared with local friends Eunice and Knute. This year it's just the two of us. We had intended to go to Applebee's, but then the weather forecast assured us of lots of wind and rain.
So, Jo Ann decided we'd do our own celebrating and fixed a bunch of those traditional dishes most of us remember ---- turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, corn, hot rolls, pumpkin pie, ---- AND my life-long favorite, good old fashioned lime jello with cottage cheese mixed in. I did miss the sweet gherkins, lime pickles and black olives, but everything else was so good, I barely noticed.
Anyhow, as we draw to the end of the day, and now that we finally have a decent internet connection, we want to thank you for your love, friendship, and support, and wish you the richest and most blessed Thanksgiving you could possibly have.
As I wrote this week's "Shoulder To Shoulder" letter on Thanksgiving, I was reminded of some of the benefits of being grateful. Most of the time we don't think about it, but an "attitude of gratitude" . . . a choice and not a feeling, by the way, . . . releases several great blessings into our lives. Here's part of what I wrote:
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Strange things happen when we begin to say "thank you" to others or to God.1. Somehow, joy is released and it begins to fill our souls. Have you ever noticed that? Jesus told His disciples in the Upper Room that He had told them the principles of abiding in order that His joy would dwell in them, thus making our joy full and complete. Ever wonder what may trigger that process? I believe that the natural response to His discourse on abiding in Him would be, "Wow! Well, Thanks, Lord!" And that would unleash an ever-rising level of joy in our hearts.
2. I also think Peace is released by developing a grateful heart. I don't know that I can explain that, but when I choose to be thankful . . . to be grateful, . . . there is a sense in which I am at peace. Maybe it's because gratitude reminds me that I am blessed because of the action of someone outside myself. That "someone", if I look closely, will inevitably be God. Whether He expresses Himself through others or He does it Himself, I suddenly realize that God is speaking and, just as Jesus spoke to the storms on Galilee's surging waves and created calm and peace, He also speaks to the storms of my heart, and peace sweeps across my soul.
3. Another result of gratitude is that love is set free to express itself. I recall an event years ago when I took time to thank a church member, who was in an adversarial position with me, for some insight he had into a certain matter. Frankly, I didn't love him, and didn't want to love him. But I knew also that he was in pain over the rift in our relationship, and he needed to be affirmed and encouraged even though we disagreed with each other. However, when I thanked him, something very strange took place ---- love was released; I began to love him. While we still were on opposite sides of numerous issues, we became friends, and learned to love each other, though often still in disagreements. It all began when I became thankful.
4. Another thing that comes from a spirit of thanksgiving is a submissive and humble attitude. When you thank a person (or God) for something they have done or said, you are humbling yourself by recognizing and honoring them for that act.
5. Then, I believe that developing a grateful attitude creates perspective. When we take time to express our thanks to God for all His great blessings, it seems to level the playing field, and we soon discover that the blessings far outweigh the disappointments and hurts. We see things more realistically . . . more objectively. We begin to "understand" than to "feel".
6. Finally, I believe that expressing thanks and gratefulness is an initial ingredient into intimacy with the Father through worship. Psalm 100 to which I referred earlier hints at that.
Our final thought is one we hope will remind you of the real focus of Thanksgiving ---- it is ALWAYS to be God, Himself. Even though historical revisionists try to convince us that the Pilgrims were thankful to the indians, the English government, and to each other, we know the truth. The historical accounts are very clear. They gave thanks to God, not just for what He had provided for them, but more importantly for Who He was. And, for generations that was the focus of our national celebrations.
Not so much anymore. Now we focus on food, family, friends, football, fishing, and dozens of other things as we cram a big meal in just before ball games and Black Friday shopping.
So, we both wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving, and post a few pictures of our little celebration in our corner of the RV park where the ministry Park Model is located. We love the view of the mountains that grace the sunrise every morning.
Let us hear from you from time to time.
Bob and Jo Ann
Bob Tolliver Life Unlimited Ministries LUMglobal
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