Isaiah Pauley
  • Home
  • Bio
  • BLOG
  • Some Sermons
  • Home
  • Bio
  • BLOG
  • Some Sermons

A strange year to be thankful

11/27/2020

Comments

 
Picture
I’ve been writing articles since November 27, 2014. But I’ve never written an article with a wedding band on my finger. A lot can change in six years. I’m thankful.
I’m not sure what your Thanksgiving looks like in 2020. I hope you have a good meal to enjoy. I hope you have a family to spend time with. But here’s the truth: you might not. Maybe there’s an empty seat at your table. Maybe someone has the virus. Maybe there are some people quarantined. Maybe Thanksgiving seems a little less exciting this year.

It’s a strange year to be thankful.

So, on this Thanksgiving, I want us to look at 1 Timothy 6:6-8. The apostle Paul writes, “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (ESV).

These verses have been on my heart. I’m thankful for little things I now realize are big blessings. As I write this, I sit in my warm living room. On a comfortable couch. With stocked shelves and plenty of coffee. And I’m thankful.

Maybe that sounds simple. I mean, most of you have those things, too. But four months ago, I thought Jordon and I would have a lot less. On a small income, we expected to live in poverty-like conditions. And we were willing to. But God has given us a home and resources we never dreamed of having. It’s not luxurious. It’s an old house. But the level of gratitude we have for our home is comparable to a king and his castle. Why? Because we know God is faithful.

So, find some little things to be thankful for. Do you have clothes? Praise God. Do you have food? That’s a blessing. Is there a coffee pot nearby? Now, that’s luxury!

I’ve never been more thankful for groceries, heat, running water, garbage disposal, a hot water heater, and a dry house. It’s a lot of little things, but they are huge blessings. And in this season of my life, I find myself content with God’s provision. Do you?

Godliness with contentment is great gain. If you know Christ, you are blessed beyond measure. And His provision is always enough. That’s not to say you’ll have everything you want. I’m not trying to proclaim some type of prosperity message. Rather, as Paul writes elsewhere, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19 ESV).

It’s been a difficult year for a lot of people. Between the virus, a heated political election, protests, and violence. And maybe it seems like a strange year to be thankful. But knowing Christ and being content with His provision is great gain. It’s a luxury.


So, what do you have to be thankful for today? If you’re having trouble, take a walk around your house. Open your kitchen cabinets. Open the door to your closet. Look at the provision of God. And if you don’t have even those things, find something. Even if it’s something small.

I pray God would comfort your heart on this Thanksgiving to be content. To be grateful. And to never take for granted the little things you often forget about.

Thanksgiving can abound in a strange year to be thankful.
Comments

    Categories

    All
    Calling
    Christmas2019
    Church
    Classics
    Colossians Series
    Confidence
    Direction
    Discipleship
    Discipleship Series
    Doubt
    Ephesians Series
    Esther Series
    Expectations
    Failure
    Faith
    Fear
    Forgiveness
    Grace
    Grief
    Hope
    Identity
    Joy
    Justice
    Life
    Love
    Marriage
    Origins Of Christ
    Passion
    Peace
    Perspective
    Philemon Series
    Prayer
    (Re ) Series
    Rest
    Sacrifice
    Salvation
    Sin
    Student Ministry
    Surrender
    Thanksgiving
    Trust
    Work
    Worry
    Worship

    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

Proclaiming the Word through writing since 2014.

© 2022 Isaiah Pauley