Happy Thanksgiving - Grateful? In the year of Covid? Absolutely.

Happy Thanksgiving! I will try to keep this short. 

This year has been filled with so much... umm... I can't even find the right words. (insert eye-roll and chuckle here). Let's just say it's been a very 'unique' year. 

About a month and a half ago my Great Aunt passed away. At first I was angry at Covid because I stayed away from visiting her to keep her from getting Covid and here she dies anyway. Let's just say I had some stuff to work out in my mind and my heart about the whole thing. Then a couple of days ago her daughter had a stroke and landed in the hospital after having Covid for 2 weeks. I guess they called it a 'Covid Stroke'. Thanks and Praise be to God, she comes home tomorrow at the complete surprise of hospital staff who say that is the fastest they've seen anyone recover from something like this. The power of prayer. 

I SHARE ALL OF THIS BECAUSE... even with everything that's been going on in our country and in our world (the pandemic, the loss of family, friends and jobs), God is still with us, He's still answering prayers and we still have So Much to be grateful for. None of us know the day or the hour we will leave this earth and we never know how much time we have left with family. Many of us are unable to be with family in person this Holiday but we CAN choose to be grateful that we live in a time where we have technology like Zoom and Mobile Phones where we can be together in different ways. 

Some days I find myself sinking into depression and thinking of all the ways this year has messed with my life and my plans. Limited time with family and friends, cancelled concerts since March and no Advent/Christmas Tour this year, etc. I've also struggled with anxiety and anger. A song that continues to come to my mind and that I find myself singing often while driving around town or walking through the house is "It Is Well With My Soul"... 

When peace like a river attendeth my way 

When sorrows like sea billows roll 

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say 

It is well, It Is well with my soul 

And Lord haste the day when my faith shall be sight 

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll 

The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend 

Even so, it is well with my soul. 

I pray these words bring you some comfort as well as hope. 

Lets continue to encourage each other to search for things that we can be grateful for. Because no matter how bad things get we can Always find something to be grateful for. 

Have a safe, wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. 

Love, 

Jaime

Leave a comment