Enter His Courts with Thanksgiving

This time of year stirs a sense of nostalgia in me. I fondly remember Thanksgivings spent with my ever-increasing family (we're 95 and counting) around white banquet tables glistening with crystal and fine china. The smell of turkey, pork roast, and honey-glazed ham lingered in the air intermingled with the familiar scents of rice dressing, sweet potato casserole, homemade mac-n-cheese, stuffed potatoes, green bean casserole, cheesy asparagus, and shrimp and broccoli rice casserole.

As a little girl, my favorite part of Thanksgiving was the food, but as I've gotten older, my favorite part has become our tradition of standing to share what we're thankful for. Not only has my favorite part of Thanksgiving changed, but what I'm most thankful for has changed as well.

I used to be most thankful for tangible things like my family, my health, and my possessions. But this year I've spent some time reflecting on the intangible: God's love for me, His amazing grace, and His perfect purpose for my life.

Stop and ponder the incredible reality that God doesn’t call you His servant—He calls you His friend (John 15:15). God loves you so much that He stooped down from heaven, rescued you from sin, and wrapped you in the cloak of His grace.

He offers you an immense revelation because He created you to impact the world, and the magnitude of your destiny can’t be fully understood this side of heaven. You’re on assignment from God, chosen to go and love others and offer them the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

God has a magnificent plan for your life. He has appointed you with a purpose no one else on this Earth can fulfill. “You are the only you this world will ever know. And something about your life is meant to make something about God known in a way that no else can.” (Dan Allender)

So rejoice with me today that we serve a God that not only redeems us but refines us to be used for His glory. Let's "enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:4-5