Giving Thanks
I Learned Thanksgiving by Looking Back.
I am firm believer in strategic planning. The compassion ministries that I work with personally are always challenged to narrow their mission, focus their efforts and walk intentionally toward their future. This ability to set a course helps us to find supporters, say no to things we don’t need to do, and have some way to measure our progress.
Of course, just because we plan, that doesn’t mean that we can determine where the path that we select will lead. So many times, my plans take me into a situation or opportunity about which I had no advance warning. Things that I worked for turn out differently, things also happen by surprise that take me much farther than I had hoped. As I look back, I can only conclude that the real navigational chart for my life is not in my hands. I make life choices based upon my best wisdom, but I have discovered that whatever happens, either good or bad, there is a design beyond my comprehension that will unfold.
“It this way In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
I guess my best wisdom is really based upon what I see when I look back. I see the consistent redemption and deeper purpose that gives me a sense of confidence about the providence that guides my life. This perspective helps me to trust my future into the same benevolent hands, and it helps me to be thankful each day—even when a circumstance doesn’t fit my plans.
I will be taking time this week to be thankful for so many things in my life, and for the each day ahead, which I know in advance are under God’s careful guidance. I hope you will join me, and entrust your days to His plan. We have so much to be thankful for, and days to come for which we can offer thanks in advance.