November 15, 2025
A grateful heart.
I’m determined to not miss this ‘give thanks’ season. Lord, don’t let me miss YOU. Don’t let me miss Your withness in these days quickly passing toward a new year. Teach me to walk slowly. To look up and around. I don’t want to miss what You are doing here.
I have these words written in my Bible from 2014… July. “Jesus – full of emotion because we miss it… Him… peace…” Luke 19:40-44
For my dear man and I to remember 2014, is to recall circumstances and even feel the heaviness of that very painful season. Yet the fruit and the JOY God brought through that season of multiple losses is priceless. All of it, the best and the worst, a part of our story. A story we get to share as an encouragement to others and to ourselves.
Remember! Give thanks. Be glad for the Lord is near. His withness is evident.
This current year, 11 long years past 2014, is a new chapter that probably couldn’t have happened in our lives without the training of the previous season. We wouldn’t have been ready to trust God in the way we are currently living – leaning out over the edge, and knowing He’s got us. Oh yeah, we feel a jolt every once in a while and feel that familiar surge of fear or doubt. But God has proven His withness to us in countless situations.
Recently, in the process of creating Thanksgiving baskets for a local ministry, our Rooted Christian discipleship group wanted to add some festive decor to our food baskets. To keep it all affordable, I visited our local Walmart. Every decoration I found , aisle after aisle, represented a Halloween theme.
It was October, so I get it. Halloween was the next big calendar item. So, I waited a week and returned. Much to my sincere frustration, Halloween decor had given way to Christmas frivolity. I found not one aisle or end cap containing Thanksgiving decor.
No turkey themed plates or napkins.
No gratitude or thankful anything anywhere.
Not even a semblance of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the gang eating popcorn and toast.
Halloween or Christmas. These were my choices.
I assumed I was looking in the wrong area. So, I stopped an employee, and she gladly took time to help me search. She was amazed that she couldn’t find any inventory that could be classified as Thanksgiving.
A gentleman associate stopped and asked if he could help. I explained my dilemma. I murmured, “I guess we’re just not thankful in our country anymore.” He was kind. She continued to search.
They both cared, and asked why I was so in need of Thanksgiving. God opened a door through which I walked and talked about our Rooted discipleship class, our service project, and the OliveCrest ministry for which we were creating baskets.
It all worked out. These lovely Walmart associates apologized for the lack of Walmart Thanksgiving inventory and suggested some orange and yellow plates and napkins, to which I agreed. Better yet, they listened, and blessed our efforts to serve. The gentleman even promised to report this inventory glitch to management.
“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.”
Luke 19:41-42 NIV
All will be well with my soul, whether he does or doesn’t report a need for Thanksgiving decor. Individuals represented here did not skip over Thanksgiving, and what it really means to give thanks, and share the bounty of blessings from God, our Maker.
I haven’t missed Jesus in the middle of this hectic holiday season. And I didn’t miss an opportunity to tell of what He’s done.
More importantly, I whisper from a deep place of knowing, a prayer of blessing over each family receiving a Thanksgiving basket. May each one see You, Jesus, present with them, in this stressful season of loss and pain. Please be their peace. Please be their Savior and King. Amen.
By the way, I should have checked Hobby Lobby. As of last week, our local store was well stocked with everything fall and thankful themed. Next year, I will be ready to top off every basket with festive decor and blessings for all.
Eyes on Jesus and Shine,
Lisa
Random Radiance, the book you help write
click here to purchase your Random Radiance book. And write your own story. Coloring pages provided by artist, Lisa Anne Tindal
Something to ponder with Jesus:
How are you celebrating Thanksgiving in your own heart?
What scriptures do you want to memorize that will transform your thinking and remind you to give thanks?
“We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.”
Psalm 75:1 ESV
Remember a time you were in need and someone reached out, someone helped, and you received the blessing. How did that feel?
Who can you give to this year out of a heart of gratitude and generosity?
Will you pray and ask Father God to give you something to give to someone else?
Don’t skip a Blessed Thanksgiving .
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