“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

 Duck Dynasty is probably best known by the dinner scene at the end of almost every episode that shows our family gathered together around the table eating, talking and laughing.  When our show aired its first episodes back in 2012, it was compared to the Andy Griffith Show and to The Walton’s, most likely because of the closeness of our family and the values in which we try to live our lives, but mainly because of how we give thanks to our God before our family meals and periodically during other family moments like weddings and even surgeries.  

It’s easy to thank God when you have an abundant meal laid out in front of you that will satisfy everyone at the table. But what about the times when it’s not so easy to give thanks to God?  What about when you’re going through a tough time?  What about when you’re not sure how you’re going to pay for that big family meal that your children are expecting?  What about when you’re going through a health crisis or a scare and don’t see how you can possibly thank God for that?  What about when your child has turned his back on God and on you and is living a life of selfishness and turmoil?  How can you possibly thank God in any of these circumstances? 

Being thankful is not a suggestion that Paul made.  In fact, right above that in verses 16-17, Paul says, “Be joyful always; pray continually.”  That is even harder to do in difficult circumstances.  Does Paul even know what he’s talking about?  Actually, he does.  Paul spent many nights in prison for simply sharing his faith.  He was beaten, starved and left to die on more than one occasion.  Yet, he still sang songs of praise sitting on a dirt floor, chains and shackles on his wrists and ankles, kept behind bars, neglected, not knowing if he will ever see the sun again. 

 If you are reading this devotional, you either have a computer or a cell phone.  That alone is something to thank God for.  Living in this country where there is an abundance of everything at every turn is something to be thankful for.  Even if you do not have the means to care for your own family alone, there are churches and organizations in every town across this nation who are willing and able to help.  Thank you, God, for fellow Americans who care so much about their neighbors. 

 You can thank God for the medicines and surgical procedures available today that were not even in the minds of people just a few years ago.  Because of their ingenuity and determination, people are living longer with less pain.  Thank you, God, for our healthcare. 

Keep praying to God over your child who seems to have lost his or her way.  Don’t stop asking Him to bring them back, but try to add a prayer of thanksgiving as well.  Thank God for bringing that child into your life and thanking Him in advance for doing what needs to be done, even though you may have no idea what that looks like and may never know.  

Thanksgiving Day is a day that our forefathers designed hundreds of years ago.  They understood how God brought them out of a harsh and controlling government to a new land and a state of freedom.  They left their comforts of cities, towns and security and fled to a life of the unknown, wooden shacks, dirt floors and hard work.  But they saw the bigger picture.  They thanked God for leading them there and helping them.  

 As the hustle and bustle of the holiday season has officially started, try to remember to thank God every single day, not just this Thursday.  Try something new in your home that will help you remember to live a life of thanksgiving all through the holidays and maybe even through the next year.  Our family will be making a Thanksgiving Tree.  We will write our blessings on ornaments and hang them on the branches so that we can see them every single time we walk by.  Hopefully, this will help us remember to thank God for them not just this Thursday but every day!  Yes, we will have a Christmas tree, but before that one goes up and the craziness of making lists and checking them twice gets into high gear, I want my family to stop and remember how much we are blessed – how thankful we are for Mia’s current health, for Reed’s talents in music, for Cole’s good grades and work ethic, for Jase’s ability to put food on our table and for my “Blessed, Blessed…Blessed” book that has helped many people.  Oh, there is so much more to be thankful for! 

Will you try it this week?  Take a branch or two from a tree outside your home, stick it in a jar or bottle and buy or make your own ornaments.  Write with chalk or a permanent marker the blessings you have been given.  Then, and this is the most important thing, pray over them.  You will most likely run out of room on your branches!  

Live a week, month, year and life of thanksgiving! Blessings to you all.

 

 

 

 

Comments

Christina:

I haven’t had a chance to read your book due to finances however, this devotional reminded me to be thankful for what we do have and not what we can’t afford to buy. I am a recovering addict and this is the first Christmas in many yrs that I will be able to spend it with my girls. And for that I thank God. I haven’t bought my five girls Christmas presents in many years because of my battle with Herion addiction and being sober now makes me realise the unintended pain I caused them and while I won’t be able to afford any more then food this yr, reading this made me realise that they don’t need gifts because God has allowed me to stay on this earth and spend this Christmas with them sober. And for that I am thankful. Bless your family and beautiful children. I hope to read your book soon.
Thank you, Christina in Ohio

Nov 25, 2015

Barbara Q:

Thanks for that heartwarming message. Must be one God really wants me to hear as I rarely look at Twitter but looked tonight and ran across yours. I read a similar devotion this morning using the same scripture. I’m very blessed, and the hardest thing for me is thanking God in ALL circumstances, not just the good ones. Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday and praying for your continued faith in sharing the Good News!!

Nov 25, 2015

Kim Armstrong:

Thank you for writing this. I am having a tough time this year due to health problems and facing two difficult surgeries in the next few months. I sometimes forget to be thankful for everything and everyone I have been blessed with.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Kim Armstrong

Nov 25, 2015

Kathryn Gardner:

Missy, I really loved your book and this idea! I think I’ll do this with my 10 grandchildren. Have a blessed Thanksgiving and a very merry Christmas.

Nov 25, 2015

Debbie Herrington :

Missy what a great idea…this devotion really hit me in so many ways….thank you from the bottom of my heart! Wishing you and your family and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Nov 24, 2015

Sally Singles:

I am Thankful to be alive after a drunk driver hit me headon in 1998. I am Thankful that my son had two sons before he died of a massive heart attack in 2006 at age 26. It is though I still have a part of him here. I am Thankful to still have my Mother she is 97. I am Thankful for so many friends over the years to get me threw so many ups and downs. I am Thankful for getting a job I can do mostly from home. Life is good and with God by my side he has guided goodness and glory in my direction. … Happy Thanksgiving to all, find the good in life and you too will be happy.

Nov 24, 2015

Florence Warwar:

I am so thankful for the impact your family is for the cause of Christ in our world today. For your continued faithfulness in staying true to your beliefs in Him and actions in all you do in life. I pray to Lord’s continued blessings on each of you.

Nov 23, 2015

Sonja etier:

Thank you Missy for all you do for so many people. Someone sent this to me to read and I was so touched by it. I’m passing it on to my daughter to read.

Nov 23, 2015

colette chenault:

I always enjoy your expression of faith; it’s nice to have such a good representation of family on television. You’ve been through good and bad and still you stand by each other. My daughter and I have been through alot and it is comforting when we see others who have survived and flourished. Thank you. And thank God for all we have. And we pray others struggling come through the other side; it’s hard but possible.

Nov 23, 2015

Pam:

What a wonderful idea. Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.

Nov 23, 2015

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