Still Thankful!

Church Family,

I was up reading scripture and thinking about you, Zion Memorial.

I know. I know. It is not Wednesday and it is not a special day except that this is the day that the Lord has made and we should rejoice and be glad in it.

In this season of the year, I know that we are supposed to be happy and joyful. But, sometimes life happens and it can be difficult to be what the world says we should be.

We have loved ones who are sick. Yesterday, I attended a funeral for the 16 year old nephew of my cousin's husband. Not the things that make us happy.

Families are still without homes do not natural disasters such as the storms and some are without jobs due to economic storms in spite of this booming economy. Not the things that make us happy.

Couples are splitting up because of misunderstandings. Families are struggling to stick together as one wants to go one way and one wants to go the other. Not the things that make us happy.

All of this in the time of thanksgiving and preparing to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

How can we still be thankful?

We can be thankful because the God who brought you your good days is the God who brings you through your bad days. Even when things are not working out the way you want, you should never doubt that God is working it out.

And, because God is working it out, you should be thankful even though you may not always be happy.

Ephesians 5:20 tells us,

"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;"

We should give thanks always for all things.

Really?

Yes. Really!

I have found so many times that at my darkest moments, when I turn to God, the situation does not always change but God changes how I feel about the situation.

God changes how I feel about the situation by reminding me that He is always with me.

Do you know that God is always with you? He is. Just pray. When? Now or whenever you need Him. He is always there for you.

You will feel His abiding presence and He will turn how you feel about your life around in spite of what you are going through.

And, as He turns it, your life and feelings, around, remember to thank Him!

Tomorrow is the last day for the letters of thanks to God. Be thankful!

I look forward to seeing all of you tomorrow.

And, remember, God loves you and I love you too!

Be blessed,

Rev. Cain