Thankfulness
in Times of Trouble
By: Rose DesRochers
Thanksgiving is a time for food
celebration and fun. Every year on Thanksgiving,
families gather around the table to enjoy a meal and
give thanks. But for some folks, Thanksgiving can be a
lonely time. Many adults spend the holidays feeling
isolated and depressed. In the wake of Katrina’s
aftermath, this will be the first holiday for many
without relatives and friends. In addition many families
may be experiencing financial strains.
Today as we celebrate this Thanksgiving, it is important
to remember that it’s about more than being thankful for
one day, it is an entire lifetime. Today is the day to
be thankful for all the things in your life, no matter
how big they are, or how small. Even in our deepest
sorrow, we can find things to be thankful for.
Holidays bring out emotional pain. This time of year can
be difficult for any one who has suffered a loss. Should
you be missing loved ones this holiday, rejoice in the
knowledge that they are with God. Don’t push yourself
today; allow yourself that time to grieve.
For those who may be feeling depressed this Thanksgiving
holiday, open your heart to giving. Helping other people
in need is a wonderful way to celebrate the day and may
make you feel less alone. Check out communities in your
area that may need volunteers during the holidays-
example soup kitchens, shelters, hospitals or reach out
to your local church.
Life is full of unexpected changes. Death is very much
apart of life. Whatever you do today, don’t cover up
your feelings of depression and isolation. Own up to
those feelings and know that you’re not alone. Somewhere
today, someone is feeling the same way that you are.
Today on this Thanksgiving Day please remember, though
the harvest might not always be plentiful, family and
friends may be few, God has given us each a great deal
to be thankful for. My experience is that, it is much
easier to thank God for our blessing than to find a way
to be thankful in the midst of our troubles.
I'm thankful that I have the strength to meet the
challenges that come with life. I’m thankful for each
memory that family and friends have given me. I’m
thankful for having a profound understanding that it is
more important to give than to receive. This
Thanksgiving I have much to be thankful for.
Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use
them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. ~W.T.
Purkiser
Today be thankful for what you have to give, not just
what you have received.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Article by:
Rose DesRochers is a published poet and freelance
writer. Rose has been writing poetry for more than 20
years. She is also the founder of
www.todays-woman.net, a supportive online writing
community for men and women over 18. She is also the
Assistant Administrator of
www.invision-graphics.com.
Enter Our Contest!
If your child is
anything like ours, they LOVE to sing. What better songs for
them to sing than ones that tell of God's love for us.
Be sure
to enter your child in our
"Keep Christ in Christmas Carol Contest"
It's simple!
Just call our listener line at
1-888-294-1058,
introduce your child
and let them sing.
Press play to hear a
sample entry.
It's that easy!
10 entries will be selected and featured on our website.
The finalist will be announced
December 1, 2006 in our Newsletter.
Register for the newsletter today!
The winner will
receive a $35 ChristianBook.com gift card
and a goodie bag of
our favorite resources for kids and parents.
Winners will also be featured on our Christmas Carole CD.
ChristianBook.com is THE best place to purchase
Christian materials - books, games, music and more!
