Sunday Writing by Jan Andersen......11/20/16

Good Morning,

Jan Andersen authored the writing for today, and she called her writing, "GRATEFUL THANKS." Her theme touches on how sometimes it is hard to be grateful, but we can and should thank God at all times.   Jan wrote, "If we look hard enough, we can always find things for which to be thankful. "

We hope you have a sweet Sunday, and please continue to pray for our country.

God bless,

Corinne & Jan

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Today's Devotional
"GRATEFUL THANKS"
by
Jan Andersen

Sometimes it is very hard to be grateful.  When I was in high school, I was voted to receive an award at the swim team's end of year celebration.  Unfortunately it was supposed to be a funny award, called the "Biggest Splash" award, and it came with an umbrella.  Being a little overweight at the time and very self conscious, I was hurt.  But I accepted it with a little smile.  On my way out later, the coach walked with me and privately told me that another girl had actually received the most votes for that category.  But she felt I was more mature than the other girl, who would have been devastated, so she had changed the award winner to me.  I thanked her - both for telling me that I hadn't actually been voted the "Biggest Splash" as well as for having that opinion of me.  But deep down inside, I don't think I was entirely grateful.  

If someone has wronged us in some way, it makes it difficult to be thankful for them being in our lives.  If we seem to continually fall upon hard times in spite of doing our very best and leaving the results to God, we may eventually loose heart and be disappointed.  If we have prayed very hard for a certain outcome, it can be hard to gratefully accept a different result.  

If we look hard enough, we can always find things for which to be thankful.  Struggles can make us stronger.  Looking back on the swim team award, I am grateful that the other young girl was spared because I was seen as mature for my age.  That maturity came through some hard times but served me well, for which I am very thankful.  There can even be things in the hard times and difficulties for which we can be grateful.  Upset that the family vehicle needs repairs all the time?  Grateful not to have to walk everywhere.  Bothered by a rude, noisy neighbor?  Glad to have a home.  Angered by unfair treatment at work?  Thankful to have employment.  There is so much to be grateful about in our lives.  Most importantly, we give grateful thanks for our salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, our Savior. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Dear Father in heaven, in this week leading up to Thanksgiving, help us to remember all of the blessings you have given us, including those that come in spite of or through the difficult times in our lives.  May we always give you grateful thanks in all circumstances.  Forgive us when we forget to pray continually and to be thankful at all times.  Help us to be joyful always, that we might be good witnesses to others of your love.  In Jesus name,  Amen.

Song:  Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart

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Here is an uplifting graphic

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Prayers are lifted up daily for 

you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff

of Women's Focus Ministries.

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