"Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity. That is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything. There is an element of mystery in this transaction: You give Me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances). This is a spiritual act of obedience---at times, blind obedience. To people who don't know Me intimately, it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Me for heart-rending hardships. Nonetheless, those who obey Me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may remain.

Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My thoughts. You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective. It is this Light of My Presence that removes the sting from adversity." - from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

So many things are "not right" at the moment. We, and others we know, are dealing with things like broken relationships, tragic accidents, financial struggles. None of it makes sense outside of knowing Christ, who is the only one who can redeem all of this mess. Each day, I have to remind myself again that the only way to live is thankful, both for the big and the small. And that is why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

I'm thankful for things like...

Stacks of plates ready to be filled with food...