I’m Thankful and I’m Somber

Photo by Diana Simumpande on Unsplash

I’M SOMBER

As I reflect on the Thanksgiving holiday we recently celebrated in the U.S., I do so with an overwhelmingly grateful and humble heart like I have never felt before. Need I say more? In a year like none other, the COVID-19 virus has not only dominated the news cycle globally, it has decimated lives and families in untold ways. Economies have crashed and many are still whimpering from massive losses. COVID-19 has plundered many lives, mercilessly upended our routines, while humbling all nations and peoples in the process. In many families, seats that should be occupied by a parent, aunt, friend, grandparent, spouse, child, or a neighbor on Thanksgiving Day were left cold and empty, with many hearts aching as they remembered their loved ones.

I pause for a moment, a moment of silence, I’M SOMBER and I grieve with you. Scriptures instruct us Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15). May the Father of mercies and God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3), comfort you today and always. May His peace move in like a soft sea breeze to heal the broken pieces of your heart. May the everlasting arms of God be wrapped around you in your loneliest moments to remind you that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). I love you (warm hugs).

BREATHE, PRECIOUS BREATH OF LIFE

In the wake of the persisting pandemic, I find myself offering thanks to my God, my creator, my friend, my shield, my strong tower, and my rock for any and everything. As I paced around my house a few days ago, the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, sweetly interrupted my busyness by reminding me of a scripture “Let Everything that has Breath Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6). The major organ the enemy COVID-19 virus attacks is the lungs where it triggers excessive inflammation. In severe cases, patients develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and loss of breath which causes death in some cases. COVID-19 attacks the BREATH of LIFE.

The Breath of Life is the beginning and the end of life. The whole essence of our being, our hopes, aspirations, dreams, and the grandiose plans we are constantly making are hatched on the expectation of maintaining the Breath of Life. O Lord, I thank you today and forever for the Breath of Life and the great mercy you have shown towards us by continually gifting us with the Breath of Life every single day.

JUST BREATHE

The first gift Adam and Eve received from the Lord was the Breath of Life.

Genesis 2:7

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and BREATHED INTO HIS NOSTRILS THE BREATH OF LIFE; and man became a living being.

Lord I am thankful for the Breath of Life. I thank you for the miracle of life, the miracle of sleeping and waking up, and the miracle of living every single day. I do not take it for granted for one microsecond. I live to worship you and give thanks to your holy name.

HOW TO GIVE THANKS

Glad you asked 😊

• Express gratitude to God with your mouth. Psalm 109:30 With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord;
• Give thanks in EVERY situation. Express gratitude in the highs, lows and in-between seasons of life. Do it even in the midst of disappointments and difficult challenges. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances;
• Give thanks to God the FATHER through His Son (JESUS). Offer thanksgiving prayers to your heavenly Father in the name of His Son Jesus Christ. Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I’M THANKFUL

C’mon now friends and family. Join me in praising and giving thanks to the Lord. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever (1 Chronicles 16:34). Amen.

Until we meet here again, WORK IT OUT*

Philippians 2:12 *work out your own salvation with fear an trembling