Daughter #1’s house is probably starting to smell good about now. Me, I’ll pop my contribution into the oven in another hour. In the meantime, I’m working. This book is due on Monday, and it’ll be by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin that I make it.
Our society has done a good job of taking Christ out of Christmas and it has done a similar number by taking the thanks out of thanksgiving. Today is often referred to as Turkey Day, and thus many who can afford to celebrate with a big turkey and stuffing and sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes with turkey gravy and several kinds of pie for dessert fail to stop a moment to count their blessings.
I’m thankful for so much. I’m thankful for another year with my mom (approaching her 94th birthday). I’m thankful for my daughters and their families, for the love we share and for always being there, no matter what. I’m thankful for my dearest and closest of friends, who know me well and love me anyway. I’m thankful for the community of Christian novelists who encourage one another as we pursue our callings. I’m thankful for my publishers, my editors, my agent, and my readers. I’m thankful for Mac computers and iPods and Blackberries. I’m thankful for Poppet and other pets I’ve loved through the years. I’m thankful for a good reliable car and a warm snug house when it is only 30 degrees outside at noon. I’m thankful that I live in America, even as I pray for a nation at war, without and within. I’m thankful for the freedom I enjoy to read the Bible. I’m thankful for good books to read when I go to bed at night.
And for all of the above, I’m thankful to God who gave me life and a purpose. I’m thankful for the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Atheists can deny Him until the end of time, and it does not negate that He is God, that He is the Creator, and that He loves us.
So here is to Thanksgiving Day instead of turkey day. Here is to remembering to be thankful.
In the grip of His grace,
Robin
