A Norvell Note for November 22, 2021
Vol. 24 No. 46
Sometimes It’s Hard to Be Thankful
During my visits with the people under my care last week, I read Psalms of Thanksgiving. My reasoning was simple: It’s almost Thanksgiving. If I read these Psalms, they will remember all the reasons they should be thankful. However, after each visit and as the week ended, I realized that my explanation might have instead been to remember the reasons I have to be thankful because sometimes it is hard to be thankful.
Speaking only for me, sometimes it is hard to be thankful. The seasons of un-thankfulness are rare but real.
Sometimes it’s hard to be thankful for the many warm days and blue skies of Texas when I miss the cooler, colorful and rainy days of Autumn in Tennessee and Virginia. Sometimes it’s hard, but I’m learning to be thankful for the light sweater weather of this Texas Autumn, and as I walked recently, the temperature was lower than usual, overcast, and I did see a yellow leaf.
Sometimes it’s hard to be thankful for all the freedoms we have in America when I see the abuses of our liberties and injustices suffered by so many simply because of the color of their skin, their spiritual beliefs and practices, and how they choose to identify themselves. Sometimes it is hard, but I am thankful I have the freedom to speak and write and maybe bring about some small change.
Sometimes it’s hard to be thankful for the seven years and seven months we had with Norah when I know she won’t be with us at the table on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas morning. Sometimes it’s hard, but I’m trying to be thankful for the seven years and seven months.
Sometimes it’s hard to be thankful and say, “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it” when I try to relive the past or try to leap into the future.” Sometimes it’s hard, but I’m trying every day to live in the moment.
I ended some of my visits by reading Psalm 136, where the writer lists reasons for being thankful and follows each statement with His faithfulness endures forever. Or, as The Message reads, “His love never quits.”
Sometimes it’s hard to be thankful, but when I take a moment to be still and know that God is God and His love never quits, the feelings of gratitude return, and I give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
May your week be filled with reminders of God’s goodness and that His love never quits.
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