As the year 2020 nears its end, many of us sigh in relief. The past several months have been filled with one crisis after another, from COVID-19, to congressional antics, to claims of election fraud. We, as a nation, are anxious for the curtain to fall on this chapter of our history. Lock the door. Throw away the key.
Finding reasons to be thankful may seem like an impossible task for many. How does one be thankful when a beloved family member succumbed to the disease that plagues us? Where is the joy in watching a business collapse that began with such promise? How do we give thanks when our nation is divided by politics, each side intent on seeing the other party fail? The bickering, the accusations, the cheating—I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough.
I choose instead to count my blessings. In Psalm136, the psalmist says over and over again, give thanks to the Lord for His love endures forever. In fact, fifteen verses repeat that same theme: His love endures forever. Seems pretty clear to me. So what do I have to be thankful for?
I’ve not had COVID, nor has anyone in my immediate family. For that I am thankful. God’s love endures forever.
None of my working family members have lost employment. Reduced hours perhaps, but they are all still gainfully employed. Thankful for God’s provision. God’s love endures forever.
During the raging wildfires here in our state, a few of our extended family did have to evacuate, but none lost their homes. I know friends and colleagues who lost everything. Yet I am thankful no one I know lost their life. God’s love endures forever.
With the release of my fourth book, Love’s Autumn Harvest, I completed the contract with my current publisher. It has been a great experience filled with opportunities for personal growth. While I’m sad to see that contract end, I’m looking forward to working with the new publisher that has picked up my second series for publication. I’m thankful God has extended my writing journey. Who would ever have believed that possible only a few short years ago? God’s love endures forever.
The year’s ongoing crises has made prayer an essential part of my family’s daily routine. That didn’t happen before this mess. Thankful we all seek Him. God’s love endures forever.
This Thursday we’ll celebrate Thanksgiving. Our numbers will be reduced, but we’ll still find reasons to gather. To share a meal. To give thanks. For those things I am thankful. God’s love endures forever.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Patricia Lee is a published author, having written since she first learned what words could do at the age of six. She holds a BA in journalism from the University of Oregon. Articles to her credit have appeared in Moody Monthly, Power for Living, Expecting and Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse as well as in two anthologies— Cup of Comfort Bible Promises and In the Company of Angels. She is part of a team of bloggers who submit short devotionals for FaithHappenings.com.
Patricia is a member of the Oregon Christian Writers and of American Christian Fiction Writers. She and her husband have two adult children and live in the Pacific Northwest with two sleepy cats.
The 4th book in Patricia’s Mended Hearts series released August 1, 2020.
All Eily McKintrick needed was an onion.
Across the fence an entire garden waits, but her brusque and unfriendly neighbor Marshall Frye doesn’t want to trade for the needed vegetable. Annoyed, Eily crawls through the fence to borrow the onion anyway, risking the wrath of the contrary man at the property line. If she’s caught.
Marshall would only be too happy to gift the widow with an onion, if it weren’t for her choice of friends. She spends time with Hillary Shepherd, a determined divorcée with her sights set on him. After his wife died, he retired early as a high school principal to live a contented solitary life growing vegetables for the local food banks. But when he finds Eily on her knees in his garden, the ensuing adventure is more trouble than either are prepared to handle.
Will Eily and Marshall find love for a second time? And what will Hillary do?
