Thanksgiving.

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalms 100:4

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalms 118:1

"They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. " Mark 8:7

"For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." Romans 1:21

"Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. " Ephesians 5:20

***

I wish this Thanksgiving I could remember that while this is a special holiday--a time to be with friends and family and to be thankful for the things you have-- as Christians we should remember to give thanksgiving to God every day.

I love the holidays. It just feels different. It feels special. It's a time set aside for us to forget all the violence, anger, and hurt in the world. It's a time set aside to just remember the good things.

Unfortunately, we often get so wrapped up in the food, guests, and family we miss the point--to thank God for what we have.

Thanksgiving Day started over two centuries ago as a way to thank God, and too often we barely do that even during the holidays.

It's my challenge to you and myself that this holiday season we remember all the instances in the bible that tell us to thank God.

***

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. " Colossians 3:17

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. " 1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise." Psalms 106:47

"He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God." Romans 14:6

"I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. " Ephesians 1:16

***

I hope this season, no matter what, I can be joyful and thankful.
I hope I remember the never-ending love and blessings God has given me.
I hope I am reminded of his forgiveness and promises.
I hope I never forget that he is with me at every step and in every moment.
I hope I always strive to know him, to grow in him, and to be like Him.
I hope I try to give thanks in all circumstances.
I hope you do, too.

You're beautiful.

"You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."

1 Peter 3:4

I wake up and say: "OK, today I am really going to get my act together."

Every day I attempt to watch what I eat. To set myself on a diet.

I conform myself to what I think makes me beautiful.

I usually don't succeed in following my rigid and strict dietary standards.

Why do I do that? Why do we do that?

It's not a weird, female always-on-a-diet-to-look-good- thing . I honestly want to look good for myself. I want my body to look good for me and no one else. That's it.

We all do it. We all think we're not beautiful enough.

We all go to church and talk about how we should not conform to the world's standards. We should follow God and do His will.

Somehow we forget the same applies to our bodies and our beauty.

I am so incredibly guilty of making dieting and my body an idol. I've forgotten that my body is God's. He has created me this way for a reason. He has blessed me thousands more than I deserve.

My body will never look its best unless I give it to God. I will never succeed on any diet unless I believe that I am beautiful despite everything.

After years and years and years of struggling with my weight, I have finally learned that.

Unfortunately, now I have to apply what I've learned.

The world is too cruel. The world too easily tells us we can only be beautiful if we fit into a certain mold.

But that's not God's beauty. And as someone who has accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I should always strive to do things as God sees them.

No matter what life tells you, remember this:

You were beautifully made. God has you inscribed in the palm of His hands. There's nothing greater and more powerful than God, and He thinks your gorgeous.

You are. Never ever forget how beautiful you are. No matter what.

The secret to looking good is knowing you're perfect and wonderful just the way you are.

Faith.

The old bridge didn't look safe.

The rickety, wooden panels lining the path looked ready to give in.

It taunted her. Its beaten-in panels staring back as if to dare her to risk walking across.

There was no way, she thought to herself. Nope. She could not cross that bridge. It would break through the minute she got to the middle.

She didn't remember it being that dilapidated. It hadn't been that long ago she crossed the bridge, or it seemed like it, she thought.

How times change, she said.

She could stay on this side. There's nothing particularly wrong with this side.

That's a pointless thought, she said. It's not like it's all flowers and sunshine over here, either.

A deep breath. One. Two. No, wait...

Just as she picked up her foot someone walked up to the other side. He motioned his had for her to come across.

"What are you going to do? Fly across and rescue me when the bridge falls though?" she said, rolling her eyes as she watched the man wait for her.

He was pointing down.

She bent over.

There was another layer under the wooden bridge. Metal bars, almost like railroad tracks, lined the underside.

So, it was safe, she said, surprised.

Well then, here goes.

She picked her foot up. One step. Two steps. Three steps…..

***

Sometimes, the road's scary.

Sometimes, it doesn't look safe to cross.

It can be long and rocky, too.

But if the old, rickety wooden panels break through in the middle, there's always someone on the other side to catch your hand just in time.

God's timing isn't ours. We can't see what he sees.

It makes us impatient. God wants us to trust that He can help us cross the bridge.

God is always there. He won't let you fall off.

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me." Psalm 138:7