of giving thanks and thanksgiving

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Another Thanksgiving away from home, away from the Minnesota clan, away from the chaos of holidays in homes the family outgrew ten years ago.  This year I wasn’t in Kazakhstan or Rhode Island or Massachusetts (x2) or Montana (x2), but back across the ocean in a land where the fourth Thursday in November is no more special than the third Thursday in November.  Seven years of thinking of one thing that I am thankful for to share at the dinner table when my location alone testifies to countless undeserved blessings for which I am grateful.

This picture was taken in Karaganda, Kazakhstan on Thanksgiving Day, 2005.  “Henry” was his name; and thanks to this picture, his sacrifice that day has not been forgotten. 

2005.  How God has blessed me in the years since then, and oh, how God is blessing me now.

 

Thanksgiving Day, 2011 was spent in a small town about a 15 minute bus ride from St Andrews.  Myself, and two other women spent most of the day in the kitchen, preparing pieces of the American feast unknown to local Scots.  Later in the day, five others joined in the festivities, and by 6:30 the table was set with all the Thanksgiving basics one could dream of.  The group consisted of people from Seattle, Spokane, California, North Carolina, Indiana, and Minnesota, none of whom knew another (besides their spouse) 2.5 months ago.  It was a wonderful day filled with new friends, feasting and fun, and filled with gratitude to God for more than I had time to list. 

I’m grateful these days for more than I had time to list, but what I did mention is my gratitude for the sovereignty of God.  The journey he has had me on over the last ten years, or even over the last sixteen years since I gave my life to Christ at Camp Victory at the young age of twelve, has been nothing but filled with grace, love and gifts too numerous to count. 

As I look behind me, I see that the road I have journeyed has taken me through many unexpected places and challenges, and in doing so, has allowed me to become the person I am today.  And now as I look toward the horizon, the road again becomes an unknown path which will inevitably wind its way through locations and experiences of which I now can only dream.  No matter where it leads me, the fact that God has led me this far along it and has provided and sustained every step of the way thus far, gives me great hope that he’ll continue the work he has started and remain faithful and sovereign through the twists and turns that lay ahead.  It’s the twists and turns in the road, the surprises in life, the things we least expect, which bring life’s joys and treasures.  I’ve got 28 years of treasures in my pocket and room for the many yet to come.

“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; before the ‘gods’ I will sing your praise.  I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.  When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.… The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever.”  Psalm 138