God’s Deep Love For Us and Thankfulness
Sweet Girls, how are you today? I know 2020 has been a hard year for everyone. For many, it’s been a devastating year with parents losing jobs, even tragically losing loved ones, feeling alone, feeling lost and confused. With all the hard and heavy of 2020, it may feel hard to rejoice and give thanks right now and that’s okay. I just want to remind you of some truths that are rooted in God’s deep love for us. I believe as these truths sink deep God will well up in us a thankfulness that is deeper than we thought possible.
Let these truths sink in deep. Read the statements below slowly and think about the scripture and how we see God’s character displayed. I would encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit if there is one truth that He wants to highlight to you.
God sees you.
“You are the God who sees me.” Genesis 16:13
God is with you.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
God deeply cares.
“Cast all your worries on him for he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
God collects your tears.
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle.” Psalm 56:8
Oh Dear Girls, if you are God’s daughter, you are never ever alone. You are never unseen. You are never unknown. You are never uncared for. You are never unloved. You are always cherished, always held, and always given what you need to live where you are now and have a perfect home awaiting you. So how do we live today and give thanks today? We believe what God’s word says over everything we see, how we feel, and even what the world tells us, above all, we look to Jesus with our eyes firmly fixed on him.
“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross disregarding its shame.” Hebrews 12:2
Did you hear that girls, He was able to endure the worst possible thing we could imagine because of the joy awaiting Him. The joy He knew was awaiting Him was carrying out the Father’s will to make a way for you to have a relationship with Him. Because the Holy Spirit lives in you, you can supernaturally “always be joyful and give thanks in ALL circumstances” in times of tears and in times of laughter.
“Joy is not the absence of suffering but the presence of God.” ~ Elizabeth Elliot
Girls, thankfulness and gratitude are not just sweet things we say, words we put on a t-shirt, even something you always feel, or something else for you to do. Oh no, dear girls, this is a way of living, of being, that wells up in us a joy that no amount of suffering, trials, or challenges can extinguish because it’s God working in us and giving us the ability to “rejoice always.”
“Everything if given to God can become your gateway to joy.” ~ Elizabeth Elliot
“In your presence there is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
Sweet Girls, giving thanks isn’t just listing off things you’re thankful for or saying I have so much to be thankful for. While those are good things, I think the Lord has more for you and is inviting you to overflow with thanksgiving. This is a deep well, a reservoir of joy welling up in you where you overflow with thankfulness to the King of kings because you are God’s dearly loved daughter. Oh, Dear One, sit with that.
This Thanksgiving, even though things may look and feel much different than they have in the past at thanksgiving time, remember we can always have hope and we can always have a reason to rejoice and give thanks because we are deeply loved by the Creator of the universe and have a relationship with Jesus AND we can never ever in a million years be separated from Him. Nothing can separate us from His love. Nothing. Not ever.
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
Oh how I hope this causes more joy and thankfulness to well up deep within you! And Girls, remember we are called to abundant life here, but, Sweet Ones, this world is not our home. We have an eternal perfect home awaiting us with our King!
“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” Philippians 3: 20
“But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:15
Reflection:
1. If you are having a hard time being thankful right now, Sweet Girls, don’t get upset with yourself for not being thankful instead ask the Lord to meet you in it...He will. Talk to Him about it.
2. Consider spending 15-20 mins writing down things you are thankful for. Think of both the small and big things.
3. Daily practice: consider opening your time with the Lord each day thanking Him for some things. This could even include that morning cup of coffee or tea, I know mine often does :)
4. Share it: Consider sharing what you are learning about thanksgiving and gratitude with a friend or loved one. Take some ownership of conversations around the table. Let thankfulness and hope arise as you direct conversation away from the things of this world that can cause fear and anxiety and instead help those around you to set their minds on the things that are life and peace.