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EN(dur)ANCE by Robin Gudal

I like to write THANKSgiving as such.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV.

This is not always an “easy button” reaction for me. Sadly, I can grumble, complain, feel wronged and/or just not be in a thankful mood! The second part of that word is giving. That I achieve much better as my love language is gifts and acts of love.

I delight in the hunt for the perfect gift, I enjoy charcutier­ — also known as fancy hors d’oeuvres — displays for others, and I love to give of my time to family and friends.

In the song “Counting My Blessings” by Seph Schlueter and Matt Maher, the lyrics sum up perfectly THANKSgiving:

“Seeing all the things you’ve done, I can’t even add them up. One, two, three, up to infinity. I’d run out of numbers before I could thank you for everything. God, I’m still counting my blessings. For all that you’ve done in my life. The more that I look in the details, the more of your goodness I find.”

The opposite of all this, as we often see displayed in our humanness, is anger and hate.

I was recently out of town and drove past a large sign stating that the individual hated a specific business. I was told of a sign my daughter in Medford must drive by daily enroute from her home stating an explicit term about another human being.

While visiting a friend from grade school recently, she stated “I hate such and such.” Her lips curled, her face grimaced and behind the words was strong emotion.

Why? Why do we, as humans — and all of us are guilty at some point in such thoughts I believe if we are honest — do we feel such hatred and anger? It makes me sad!

I like the New Living Translation of Ephesians 4:26: “And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.”

“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, NIV

My challenge this THANKSgiving season is to do just that: be thankful in words, actions and attitudes. Give what you are able to others.

It is amazing how much even a smile can alter how we feel.

Robin (Beckman) Gudal is intentional in life, a wife, momma, nana, friend and a flawed and imperfect follower of Jesus.