As we come out of one of the most challenging election seasons that many of us have experienced in our millennial lives, I look forward to today – Thanksgiving – and pray that it is a respite from the anger, strife, misunderstanding, and hurt many of us have been experiencing these past couple of weeks.

I’m not sure whether it became my favorite holiday because of how my family celebrates it and, as a result, the warm nostalgia it conjures or because of the holiday itself. Regardless, I urge you to consider this day to be an opportunity to see the good in others and believe for the best.

Gratitude is such a powerful emotion. It breaks down pride, dismantles anger, and undermines hatred. It’s really hard to simultaneously be very mad and also able to acknowledge good in someone else or in a new situation. As such, I am taking time this Thanksgiving morning to remember on the important things in my life:

Remember for what you’re thankful

I am thankful for the city I live in, for the diversity I have learned from, and the challenges I have confronted as a result of the circumstances I have encountered either externally or internally as a result of who I am, what I believe in, and what I stand for.

I am thankful for this country we live in and the democracy it is built upon. I am grateful for free speech and inalienable rights. I appreciate the uncovering of nasty things because my hope is in resolution, redemption, and healing.

I am thankful for the Firm. That despite hard times – clients, colleagues, and subject matter – I still feel strongly that I am where He wants me to be; that there are more good days than bad days; and that as much as I am giving to them, He is also using this experience to provide me with invaluable skills and lessons that are essential to tackle the things to come in my life.

I am thankful for this blog. This has been a place where delayed gratification and lackluster results meet surprising, God-sized success. I am looking forward to seeing how God continues to use it in my own life and other's lives.

Remember to whom you belong

While this post sounds like it’s more about me than it is about you, I hope you realize that I am talking about me because I want you to consider what your versions of these things would be for yourself.

Luckily, to whom we belong is universal and impacts all of us. If Jesus is the Lord of our life, that immediately unites us together under His authority and love.

In perusing His word for this post, I happened to notice an interesting trend when it comes to verses about giving thanks: it is usually coupled with God’s love for us.

We are called to be thankful in response to all that God’s done for us. His love invokes thankfulness.

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” – Psalm 107:8-9

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15

Across the bible, there are verses speaking of thankfulness as a command or action verb in connection to God’s love.

We are told how this cause and effect should work because our fallen world requires a little nudging to get there.

As most of you know, knowing doesn’t equal doing and so the onus is still on us to hear His wisdom and appropriately act on it. Are you up for the challenge?  

Remember who you love

To God: I am yours.

Lord, you have all of me for my whole life. I pray that I grow in love, humility, kindness, and wisdom. Lead me to live my life in a way that brings You glory.

To my family: I love you.

My niece and nephews show me how to fall and get back up again (literally) and that at some point twenty questions was an excellent and innocuous way to learn about things and there is nothing wrong with that.

My siblings confirm that age and distance does not have to negatively impact relationships and that there is richness in the depth and breadth of our lives together.

My parents support me in my adulthood by providing guidance and being only a phone call or train ride away when I need it.

My extended family reminds me that there is incredible wealth in our family story and that cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents are an expansive network of wisdom, context, and love.

To my friends: You are superstars.

My friends from my formative years are able to speak to how far we’ve grown since middle school, high school, college, and early twenties. As peers, we have weathered some tough battles, only to emerge stronger together.

Your gift of friendship has shaped the woman I’ve become and, for that, I am eternally grateful.

My city friends pour love into and share insight with me. The extensiveness of our community is mighty because we have such varied backgrounds and yet our foundation is primarily found in Christ.

It might sound like half of this blog is me explaining what I love about all of the people in my life like a braggart. However, I think one of the best habits I cultivated a few years ago was writing down and listing out what I’m thankful for, big or small.

I strongly believe that the ability to acknowledge gratitude is a muscle that needs to be used otherwise it atrophies.

I am thankful for days like today that call for an appreciative heart, creative mind, and empty belly.

Thank you God that despite the state of the world or my deceitful heart you are good and your love never fails.

Happy Thanksgiving, S+B gals!