October 3, 2026
On this Thanksgiving Day, there are so many things in my life that I’m thankful for. Tops on my list is my loving Heavenly Father who is with me in good times and bad.
Trying times
Trying times seem to always make me feel insecure and unsafe. Maybe it’s because I can’t predict or control what will happen. I do have a God who is in control and knows the future. Proverbs 18:10 says “The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.” In trying times, God is my fortress and my security. He is my safe place.
Hope in God
Where would we be without hope. The hope of Jesus. This life can be hard, and we can become weary. I don’t know about you but if I didn’t have “hope” some days there would not be much motivation to keep going. But in Romans 15:13 the Bible says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”. All my hope is in Him.
Always count on God
The definition of always is “at all times, on all occasions”. God is my always. No one else in this world can always be there at all times or always be there on all occasions….only GOD. Matthew 28:20 says, “I will be with you ALWAYS, even to the end of the world”. That is a promise that only God can make. He is my always.
Now is the time
Now is this present time and moment. There is no guarantee you will have another moment. If God impresses on you to do something or puts someone on your mind, act NOW. If God convicts you of a sin, repent NOW. If God asks you to share the plan of salvation with someone, do it NOW. Time is short and people need Jesus.
Kindness shared
I can’t tell you the number of times that someone has shared an act of kindness with me or one of my family members. Kindness shared can change your whole perspective of the trial you are in, the sickness you might be dealing with, or even when you are just having a down day. In Ephesians 4:32 the Bible says “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ, God has forgiven you”. This world needs kind and compassionate people. Sharing God’s kindness and being compassionate can change not only someone’s day but it could change their life.
Faithful Father
There is not a father, mother, sister, brother, or friend who is more faithful than our Heavenly Father. His faithfulness knows no end. In our human bodies we cannot be faithful to everyone and everything. We will at some point disappoint others. But not God our Father. In Deuteronomy 32:4 the Bible says “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.” Only God is faithful to His Word, His Purpose, and His Promise. Great is HIS Faithfulness.
Unending Mercy.
You or I don’t deserve grace and mercy, but we have a God who freely gives and has an unending supply. Every day is a new day and every day has new grace and mercies. Without God’s grace and mercy, we are lost in this life we live. In Lamentations 3:22 it says “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease”. Anyone, anywhere, at any time can receive God’s mercy. You just must be willing to accept it. God’s mercy is limitless, flowing from His heart of love and compassion for us.
Love.
I am thankful for the love of my husband, my children, my grandchildren, and my friends. But I am most thankful for the LOVE of God. God will lovingly lift your head when you are down. God’s love will serve as protection and a shield around me. God’s love will discipline me when it is needed. God’s love is unfailing, unending, compassionate, and it is a gift freely given to anyone who will choose to receive it. God is LOVE. In 1John 3:1 the Bible says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God”. His desire is to lavish us with love and in turn for us to share that same love with others. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) There is no greater love than the love of God.
I am thankful for so many things. I pray we can all reflect on this Thanksgiving Day and give thanks for the ways we are blessed in this life. What are you thankful for?
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Jill Johnson, a staff member at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother and Georgian. She is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.
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