Growing up I was always thankful for all the yummy food I was able to eat, especially on Thanksgiving day (btw I love to eat so a holiday set apart just for that was the best idea anyone came up with). I was able to spend time with my family, eat a ton of food, laugh a lot, watch a football game and the list goes on. But what is the true meaning of this day?

Lately, I have been feeling people can create an idol out of food on this holiday. And I'm most likely one of those people who have idolized food because every year Thanksgiving meant food. This year, it has been different. Let me explain...
For one of our gatherings we had a thanksgiving meal together; which I was excited for because of all the food. Now usually I can eat and eat, there is no stopping me on Thanksgiving. However, I only ate one plate. ONE plate. Not only that, I have been pondering for weeks and weeks of how thankful I am for this past year, I have been more worried about what I'm thankful for than the food (ask my family and they will tell you this is not normal). Of course, I am not complaining about this change in my heart because that is what I am most thankful for this year.
"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NLT

So as a Christian, Thanksgiving is more than just a day for family or the food, it's about thanking God for giving His chosen people grace. I am blessed to now understand what Thanksgiving is about as a born-again Christian and I pray that I can continue to grow in grace and understanding that is glorifying to God.

This year, I am thankful for my salvation, my husband, and our new friends and family God has placed in our lives! God is a sovereign God, "and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 ESV)

What are you most thankful for this year?

 Verses:
2 Corinthians 4:15 ESV
"For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God."

Ephesians 2:7 ESV
"so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

Last semester, at HCC, I was running late to school and I was rushing up the stairs to get to class. I tripped and fell on the staircase; instead of getting embarrassed and going to hide, I got back up and continued on forward.

The other night when my husband and I were on the way home, I mentioned to him that I noticed I get embarrassed when I'm wrong - in the classroom setting and in real life - which is not healthy because ultimately I'm not perfect and there will be times (and have been times) when I'm wrong. But I also know that when I realize I am wrong, I am too prideful, most of the time, to admit it (which is a characteristic I am not proud of).
Now, even though I am imperfect it does not jusifiy my sin of not being humble as God as called me to be.

When I tripped on the staircase I could have easily justified it with my imperfection of being clumsy but if I wasn't late, in the first place, I would have been more cautious.

When we realize our sins, we are to repent and turn away from them; not jusifiy them. There will be times that we fall but we must get back up and keep moving forward.

I need to pray and turn away (repent) from my pride and become humble, as glorifying to God.

Verses:
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6 ESV)

"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a HUMBLE mind." (1 Peter 3:8 ESV)

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you" (1 Peter 5:6 ESV)

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:1, 2 ESV)

"Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:7 ESV)

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 ESV)

I am linked up to Wedded Wednesday.