I can't believe it's November already. It feels like it was only January yesterday.
This year, November arrived with the clocks going back,
which for me translates to less daylight. That's not particularly fun,
especially as the temperatures begin to dip around this time. Thankfully, we
still have the beauty of fall to enjoy. If you don't have to sweep them up, the
colorful leaves make for some breathtaking scenery. God is truly a master
artist because, until I experienced autumn, I had no idea there were so many
variations of the color orange.
As I looked at the date today, besides wondering where all
the time had gone, I was reminded that this month we celebrate Thanksgiving.
Almost as if on cue, my friend Halima shared today's devotion with me. It
included Colossians 3:15:
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as
members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
The writer emphasized that a grateful heart not only honors
God for past blessings but also positions us to receive greater testimonies of
His goodness. That thought immediately brought to mind a tradition I have
shared with a few friends over the last five years.
Every November, we take time each day to pause and reflect
on something we are grateful for. It's a simple practice, but it has become one
of my favorite traditions. Some prompts are lighthearted: Who are you most
grateful for in your life right now? Others focus on life's comforts: What
comfort are you thankful for today? And some invite deeper reflection: What
memory are you especially grateful for?
I am also grateful for Halima's faithfulness in sharing
devotions with me throughout this year. The message she sent today inspired me,
once again, to create a 30-day gratitude calendar as a way of encouraging
others to cultivate thankfulness.
In many ways, I am thankful that moving to this part of the
world introduced me to Thanksgiving. Celebrated on the last Thursday of
November, it is a time when families gather together, share meals, and reflect
on their blessings. Whatever other meanings and conversations may surround the
holiday, I have chosen to dedicate this month to gratitude. It is an
opportunity to intentionally pause, acknowledge God's goodness, and share that
gratitude with others.
Because when we slow down long enough to notice the gifts
around us, when we pause and smell the coffee, we often discover that life is
beautiful and that there is so much to be thankful for.
As the days grow shorter and the trees slowly let go of
their leaves, I hope this month reminds us to hold a little more tightly to
gratitude. Not because life is perfect, but because even in the ordinary, God's
goodness is everywhere. Sometimes all we need to do is pause long enough to
notice it.
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