Giving Thanks - in all Circumstances

Recent economic hardships have caused many Americans to tighten their belt. Many have lost jobs, homes, family members, and so much more. We can be at our lowest point – a place with seemingly no hope. Aliyah felt this way just one year ago…

As a twenty-eight year old single mother of three, Aliyah had been living paycheck-to-paycheck until she was let go from her job. Soon after, she was unable to keep up with her rent, and she and her children became homeless.

But Aliyah did not give up and she came to Holy Family Shelter. Through the assistance and encouragement she received at Holy Family Shelter and her own hard work, Aliyah was able to get a full-time job, a new apartment, and enroll in school to complete her GED, all within just six weeks. Aliyah was filled with hope…and thanks.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances,” not simply when we feel like it or when things are going well. God is good, sovereign, and wise all the time. We can give thanks that He is working out His plan even in the difficult circumstances of life. Although it may feel that God has left us – that He is far away – He never is. He is with us in our praises and thanksgiving, in good times and bad. 

We encourage you to give thanks during this season of thanksgiving, whether facing difficulty or comfort, God is always good.

Something For Which to be Thankful: A New Home

“He who can give thanks for little will always find he has enough.”  - Anonymous

This year, Andrei and his family will celebrate their first Thanksgiving living in the United States. Andrei was just 12 years old when the Soviet Union fell and his country of Moldova gained independence. However, with a lack of infrastructure, jobs were scarce, and available jobs paid such low wages that most families lived below the poverty line. Andrei, his wife, and his three children lived as best they could in this environment; however, Andrei’s heart was breaking as he envisioned his children’s future. He dreamed that one day he might be able to provide a safe home for his family.

On February 8, 2012, with the help of Catholic Charities, Andrei and his family arrived in Indianapolis with a few suitcases and a new lease on life.

The family was assisted with all the necessary resources to start their lives again; including food, financial support, medical appointments, English classes and employment training. Additionally, Andrei’s children were all enrolled in school. Andrei became teary-eyed while recounting it all—he said, “People are so giving here.”  

Andrei is currently working and is delighted to provide for his family. He expressed his deep gratitude for his new life here, pausing for a moment, smiling, and simply offering:  “It’s great.”

Second Corinthians 9:15 says, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.”

What indescribable gifts are you thankful for today?

Thanksgiving is About Turkey, Right?

Thanksgiving is a holiday we celebrate solely in America. Yet, as Americans we also take for granted the deep meaning and purpose behind the holiday. Sure, it is great to gather with family and friends and gorge ourselves on grandma’s home cooking, but what are we really doing together? Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is just about the turkey, right?

Yes, the pilgrims and Indians feasted together on what was known as the first Thanksgiving, but the idea of breaking bread together and giving thanks actually came from scripture. 

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” Psalm 100:4

Psalm 107:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, For he is good; his love endures forever.”

1 Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”

Thanksgiving is about thanking the Lord for His countless blessings over the past year. It is about rejoicing, singing praises, and worshipping together. It is about the lavish love He pours out onto us, not just once or twice a year, but every day. 

We set aside one day a year to thank God – but He gives us something every day for which to be thankful. Won’t you join us in making thanksgiving not just a special day to celebrate with those closest to you, but an entire lifetime of humble thanks to the One from whom all blessings flow? 

Turkey is great, but what else are you thankful for today?