Thanksgiving is a time of family, eating lots of food, playing football and giving thanks for the things you have. At least that’s what it is for my family… we eat and eat, then hangout on the beach and throw a football around. It’s just a time to hangout and be around family!
This year it was a very different experience. Not only was I not with my family but I was in a foreign country where they don’t even celebrate thanksgiving. The minute I woke up I found myself feeling irritated, and frustrated that I wasn’t home and that I had to go to ministry. Then I got more frustrated that I was feeling this way. The morning was awful, full of irritation and sadness about being away from home.
After ministry my team came together and had an awesome time of sharing how we were feeling. Not only that we missed home, but that being in a different country on an American holiday was taking a toll on us. Especially myself, I was not happy and in a very bad mood.
As the day went on God continued to provide and lift my spirits. Lunch was a thanksgiving meal provided by our host, then the whole squad came together for a time of prayer and worship. I found myself continually coming back to the verse of the day which was…
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
?-?Psalm? ?100:4? ?
And during the day I kept going back to this verse. It made me realize how thankful I am for the family, friends and life I have been given. It was this constant reminder throughout the day of how much I love my life. This is exactly the reason I am on the World Race. To push myself beyond my comfortability and normality so that I can grow and learn more about what God has for me.
Later that night one of my squad mates made us a true thanksgiving dinner with turkey and mashed potatoes. It was for sure a blessing and God orchestrated moment.
That to be said… I miss all of my family and friends back at home. As I know that Christmas is coming soon. So please pray that I can be present and can continue to enjoy this year of getting closer to God and growing to be a better servant of Christ! Happy late thanksgiving!
