Give Thanks in all Circumstances

November 24, 2009 by admin
Filed under: Family, Finance, My Hands Are Clean 

This will probably be my only post this week ~ between my “day job,”my new business and the holidays, this week is pretty packed.  But I’ll do my best to stay in touch!

As we near Thanksgiving, we all begin thinking about what we are thankful for…our family, our friends, our jobs, our warm homes filled with love… But what about the other things that have happened this year that weren’t so warm and fuzzy?  Have you ever stopped to think about 2009’s trials and tribulations and give thanks for those?

C.S. Lewis said, “We ought to give thanks for all fortune; if it is “good” because it is good, if “bad” because it works in us patience, humility, and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country.”

I had a ROUGH year this year.  I was laid off from my job in January (3 months after giving birth to my second child) and fell into a deep depression.  My marriage struggled (and that’s an understatement), my children suffered, and I finally sought both marriage counseling and psychiatric help.  Nothing really worked.

So finally, I turned to God for help.  The passage we discussed at the first church service I attended was this: “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess 5:16-18)  It was like the pastor was speaking directly to me; that God was telling me to have faith.  And so I did.

I rallied.  We put our kids back in daycare so I could focus on finding a job.  I learned new things and “marketed” myself to potential employers with intensity.  “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest – if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)  And in God’s faithfulness, I landed a job in a month’s time.

If it weren’t for 6 months of complete hell, I wouldn’t have found my way back to God.  And so I am THANKFUL for God’s faithfulness and love, even when I wasn’t faithful or obedient.  I wasn’t sure I would get out alive; and now here I am, much happier than I was at this time last year.  Because now I understand that when God takes something from your grasp, He is not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.

And yet, I have some “warm and fuzzy” things to be thankful for too:

  • A stronger, happier marriage (see “A Total Money Makeover Saved My Marriage”)
  • Two beautiful daughters, growing strong in God’s grace
  • A new personal goal to be generous with my time, talent and treasure
  • A new business (I’m a “mompreneur”!) which will help me attain my goal ~ 10% of all sales will go to different charities throughout the year (November = Operation Shower)

But most of all, I am thankful for the struggle I endured during the first 6-7 months of 2009.  Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

May God bless you this holiday season!

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Comments

2 Comments on Give Thanks in all Circumstances

  1. Christie Chovan on Tue, 24th Nov 2009 1:40 am

    2. 11/24/2009 1:40 PM Christie Chovan wrote:

    Hey! Read your article, and loved it. Danny and I would not be where were are in our relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior, if he had not broken his leg this past year. The injury took nearly all year to heal, and he still has limitations. However, it was a blessing! We have been brought back to Jesus (where we should have been all along), and have never been happier! It was a major wake up call. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

  2. Angie on Tue, 24th Nov 2009 2:58 am

    3. 11/24/2009 2:58 PM Angie wrote:

    Kristin,
    I am so excited for you. Always keep the focus and faith! Much love, Angie

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