Gina Caswell Kelly
It is that Thanksgiving time of year! Often it seems that Thanksgiving gets lost in the shuffle between Halloween and Christmas. And, I will be honest. My house is already decorated for Christmas! And has been for a couple of weeks. There. I admitted it. In print! I do love me some Christmas! But, Thanksgiving stands alone. Thanksgiving reminds us of all we have for which to be grateful.
Even with all the things swirling around us, there is much for which we should be grateful. For one, I am glad the election is over! This was a contentious election cycle, and it was time for it to be over. But the thing we must remember, whether you are pleased with the election or not, God is ultimately in control. And that is definitely something for which we should be very grateful!
I am so thankful that I had the parents that I had. I am thankful that I was raised to know that God deserves first place in my life. I have taken many routes around this, and still struggle with putting Him first. But, I truly was taught to love Him above all else when I was growing up. My very earliest memories are of being at the church and listening to my daddy tell of God’s love for us. I am grateful for parents who supported their kids. My mother was at anything I ever did! She never missed a beat. Even if she didn’t know the rules in tennis, or was mortified that I was having to model something I had made in home economics in front of others, she was always there. Lots of kids didn’t have that and still don’t today.
I am so very thankful that I get to live in the community in which I live. I love this place! We take care of each other here. I always say, the bad thing about a small town is that everyone knows your business. The good thing about a small town is that everyone knows your business. They are ready to come to your aid, even it is to bring a casserole! Oh my goodness! How blessed we are to live where we live!
I am so very grateful for my church family. I love those people more than they can ever know. They have stood beside me through some very tough and heartbreaking times. They have loved me through some bad decision making. They have loved my family. If you don’t have a church family, you need to get you one!
Lastly, and most importantly, I am grateful for the love of God in my life. His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness, His guidance, His watch care, His absolutely unconditional love for me, His child. I can’t wait for that day when I see Him face to face!
Be thankful for the things that make a true difference in your life!
Happy Thanksgiving!
