By 
“When a person doesn’t have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity.”
Elie Wiesel-Jewish writer, Nobel Laureate, Holocaust survivor
I am writing this in late summer of 2020, hoping that by Thanksgiving COVID-19 has moved on into history, that the election is over and hope for the survival of this experiment in self-government is safe, at least for a while, and that peace reigns on the streets of America and revolutionaries have gone back to their winter homes. But it is important to be thankful whatever our circumstances: Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, NIV).
This is not only good advice, it is a command that guards our hearts and minds in peace (Philippians 4:7). I have found it impossible to be grateful and afraid at the same moment. The mind of man cannot hold thankfulness in its clutches and brook simultaneously any negative emotion, whether it be anger, fear, envy, malice, or discontent. It turns out that Pollyanna was right—glad thinking leads to a glad heart; a glad heart promotes wellbeing and good health.
What other of God’s creation has the ability to be thankful? The mountains and hills? The rivers and rills? The cattle upon a thousand hills or horses running wild? The emotion of gratitude is common only to man, and it is powerful to make him survive and thrive. It is able to lift him out of his own self concern and turn his heart toward home, toward goodwill, and toward heaven’s promise.
During COVID-19 it has been especially helpful to me to try to think of at least 5 things each day for which to be thankful. I like to use a letter of the alphabet to get me started. Take the letter “F”. You can very quickly come up with a list.
1. Funny papers—my husband loves the funnies and likes to read the really good ones to me. It is a great thing, to start the day with a laugh.
2. Folger’s coffee—an inexpensive and reliably good way to wake up to a new day with the Bible in one hand and a cup of Folgers in the other.
3. Fantasy and Flights of imagination—how I love the stories that capture my heart and distract me from worries. How they have helped to while away these days of covid-19 isolation!
4. Friends—precious people to treasure and keep up with, not to mention fun times to experience regardless of the tensions of the world.
5. Family meals—breaking bread together has its own profound magic. How grateful I am for meals at home, around the table, face to face and full of grace.
Before you know it, your mind is going ever deeper into the profound blessings of life:
1. Faith in an Almighty God who reveals Himself to man.
2. Foundations that do not fail, moorings that keep the ship of life afloat in stormy times.
3. Fellowship of suffering that solidifies the ties that bind.
4. Favor found in His grace and kept against that day.
5. Flexibility that keeps you intact in the changing seasons and challenging situations of life.
Pretty soon, the dreads and doubts of life steal away in the “light of His glory and grace”. Let gratitude, thanksgiving, praise, blessing be the stars of this year’s holiday; but even more, let them be the character of your daily life.
Linda Williamson
Linda Williamson is a long time Womenary student and a recent board member. She has a passion for the Word of God, both to learn it and to teach others to love it. She has taught a Sunday School Class at Colonial Hills Baptist Church for twenty years, worked in the BSF school program five years and prior to moving to Tyler, enjoyed being a Precept Bible Study Leader. Womenary is her Seminary. She is grateful for the opportunity to take advantage of theology classes conveniently located and reasonably priced. It is her heart’s desire as a teacher to “accurately handle the word of truth…”. (1 Tim. 2:15) 
