By: Carlie Kercheval 

Thanksgiving.

When most people hear this word, the first thing that comes to mind is a massive table -full of food shared with family and good friends. Or maybe some people think about the Pilgrim’s and Native American’s celebration of their first successful harvest in 1621. Either way, it is a season that most American’s thoroughly enjoy.

But my suggestion to you, is that thanksgiving should be a lifestyle, rather than a seasonal holiday. I know sometimes it is hard to be thankful when things don’t seem to be going your way. I know it is difficult to be thankful when your husband is thousands of miles away fighting a war – AGAIN – when he could be home with you. I know it is hard to be thankful when your children are crying and cannot be comforted because their daddy is gone for a year at a time. I know it is hard to be thankful when a loved one is fighting a quickly debilitating disease. And the list goes on and on.

I know, I really do.

The good news is that we have a Father that can teach us how to ALWAYS be thankful, no matter what “seems” to be going on around us. We have a savior, precious Jesus, that lived and walked amongst us – faithfully – serving His Father in Heaven from whom all precious gifts flow. And He was thankful.

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17

Can we too, be thankful despite what is happening in our lives circumstantially? Yes, we can, if we so choose to do so. I choose to live thanksgiving every day. At first it was not easy to think this way, to be this way, nor to choose this way of thankfulness. But it can happen, and for me it did.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”                     1 Thessalonians 5:18

How can we become immersed in a life full of thanksgiving despite what the times of uncertainty, danger, and separation that being a military spouse can make us “feel”? By getting deeper into His word: The Bible. Through prayer – lots of it. And living like this will allow a greater faith to be grown. Day-by-day. Week-by-week. Year-by-year. Life-by-life.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

Be encouraged today and every day to live with thanksgiving all the days of your life. It is your right to do so. Choose to be thankful. One. Day. At. A. Time.

Carlie is a blessed, stay-at-home, homeschoolin’ mama to her 3 precious gifts she calls “children”. She is a proud Army wife and has been married to the love of her life, Michael, for over 11 years. In her free time she enjoys anything to do with Jesus, family time, reading, writing, singing, teaching, and being outdoors.

You can find out more about her homeschooling adventures and Christian faith at either of her two blogs:

http://soyoucallyourselfahomeschooler.blogspot.com  AND http://callyourselfachristian.blogspot.com/.