Today is going to be a day filled with lots of emotions…as usual, I will be spending a lot of time crying. Tears of gratitude for the blessings of this year mixed with tears of sadness.
This is the first Thanksgiving without my dad. Since Belinda was a baby, we locked in two holidays which we always spent with dad, Father’s Day and Thanksgiving. We will be spending the day with my step-mom and extended family but it will be a struggle. Belinda is in NC celebrating Thanksgiving with her in-laws. As I watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, I struggle with memories of past years filled with high school football games, homecoming floats, dinner at Grams with the entire family.
Today I am counting my blessings…. Blessed to have a supportive hubby. I am grateful we will enjoy Thanksgiving together. I am grateful my family is healthy. The year has been filled with many trials.. I am listening to Laura Story’s song…
Thirty One continues to bless my life. Who would have thought 6 plus years ago, a $99 kit would make such a difference? A growing business with an amazing team of women who continue to inspire me with their strength and friendship. An income which allows me to still earn an income despite the challenges of MS. A multitude of women who have gone from customers and hostesses to friends. The greatest blessing is the ability to share with those who are struggling by giving back to our community.
Words can’t express how grateful I am today and every day. My wish is each of you have a blessed Thanksgiving – enjoy the time with your friends and family. Cherish the moments for all the years to come.
A Thanksgiving Prayer by Gwen Smith…
Dear Lord:
We come with hearts of gratitude today to bless Your name and to ask that Your hand of blessing would be upon us. THANK YOU, Father, for loving us with an eternal love that stands firm, even when we are unlovable. THANK YOU for being faithful, righteous, holy and just, yet willing to see us, Your children, through divine eyes of compassion, mercy, forgiveness and grace. THANK YOU for being a God of restoration and renewal in the midst of a broken, pain-filled world. THANK YOU for providing for our needs, directing our paths, and establishing our steps.
We acknowledge Your sovereignty, Lord, and freshly submit to Your will today. We ask Your BLESSING and GUIDANCE over our children, grandchildren, marriages, families, and loved ones. We ask Your BLESSING and GUIDANCE over our country, president, governors, senators, representatives, and local officials. We ask Your BLESSING and GUIDANCE over our communities, churches, schools, work places, decisions, and opportunities. Please FILL US with the presence of Your joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, and self control today. HELP US to see as You see and to love as You love. HELP US to serve others humbly for the sake of Your name. HELP US to be light that shines in the darkness. HELP US to follow Your ways and continually seek Your leading.
You are our hope and our strength, Lord. We give you THANKS in all of this and ask for the fullness of Your BLESSING in all these things, according to the power of Jesus Christ who is at work within us through Your Holy Spirit.
Amen
Have a ThirtyOne-derful Thanksgiving!
Hope Wissel 