Faith · Holidays

Thankful {2017}

comehomeforcomfort

Lamentations 3:19-24

Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
     My soul continually remembers it
    and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
    and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
    “therefore I will hope in him.”

Every year about this time I begin to form a list in my mind. I string those bullet points together and come up with a paragraph that’s ready and waiting for when someone asks, “So what are you thankful for?” I usually think back over the year and gather the high points – milestones such as marriage, a new house or job and fun things like big vacations or family celebrations. I try to think of a theme from something I read in my devotions or a sermon series that really impacted me. Putting those together, I’m prepared to triumphantly speak or blog about what I am thankful for!

This year as I think back over these first 11 months of 2017, I feel a lot like the prophet Jeremiah that I quoted above. There are quite a few afflictions and wanderings that spring to my memory instead of milestones or fun vacations. But right on the heels of those thoughts is the reminder that God has remained faithful! 

There’s no way around it – this has been a rough year. It would be easy to become “bowed down” as I ponder the struggles, heartache and disappointment…but I can’t live there! When I call to mind God’s faithfulness and His never-ceasing steadfast love, my heart fills with hope.

So what am I thankful for? I am thankful for God’s faithfulness! 

I could certainly write a long list of other things that I’m grateful for, but I’m going to leave it there for now and just meditate on that for a while! If you’ve had a hard year with more heartache than happiness, I hope you’ll join me and park your mind right there on the One who never changes. His love never ceases!

As I typically do for the week of Thanksgiving, I’m going to step away from the blog next week. I’ll be back on Cyber Monday with a roundup of my favorite recipes from November and more fun festive surprises! I’ve been working on a fun series that will start in December and I can’t wait for you see it!

Happy Thanksgiving, sweet friends. Thank you for your encouragement and love! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving week with your families!

Love,

16 thoughts on “Thankful {2017}”

  1. Pingback: High Five For 2017! – Come Home For Comfort
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  3. Wow. No mistake in my finding this tonight in my reading. I texted the verse to myself. Yes, it has been a very hard year for my family and I as well. But, yes…great is Thy faithfulness! Thank you for this post and all encouragement that I find in your posts. I will pray for you to find peace and rest in Him.

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    1. Thanks for sharing that with me, Jen! I don’t want to waste the lessons God is teaching me, and I’m always thrilled to know it encourages someone else. None of us are exempt from trials – and yet none of us are out of the reach of God’s love and grace. Hugs to you!

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  5. Thinking of you! I’m sorry that 2017 has been a hard one. Praying things turn around for you all in the new year. I love your perspective that even in the midst of hard times there are things to be thankful for. I’m thankful for you and your friendship this year. You’ve been a blessing to me with your lessons in deals, saving money and encouragement. Thank you. Enjoy your Thanksgiving break with your family!

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  7. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Whitney! Thanks for all your posts and you-tube…all the encouragement. I find so much useful information and insights that help me as I try to encourage new couples. If our thankful list this year only said, “God’s faithfulness” we would all be more than blessed!!

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  8. I am also thankful for God’s faithfulness. I couldn’t do life without Him. Wishing you and your family a wonder Thanksgiving full of God’s blessings.

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