365.

Turkey.

Pumpkin pie.

Can-shaped cranberry sauce.

Thanksgiving. The one day of the year where we give thanks.

Right?

Wrong.

Watch Full House or Family Matters or The Cosby Show or any other 90's sitcom and you'll see a family gathered around a table loaded with a mouth-watering feast. But before the casseroles start being passed and the turkey is carved, they pause and say what they are thankful for. Then the sappy music plays, they hug, and the ending credits roll.

Aaaaaaaaannndd SCENE.

Here's the problem with that. As a general rule, we express our thankfulness openly about one day a year, on the day that it is expected to give thanks. But what about the other 364 days?

We are so very blessed.

God deserves our praises and gratefulness 24/7.

It's easy to be thankful for the things that fit nice and neatly into your plan. But it's harder to be grateful for the circumstances that God has orchestrated that didn't work out according to your plan, but fit into HIS will and purpose.

Can you imagine if God indulged our every desire?

We would be running around like kids hopped up on sugar and an all-night cartoon marathon. It would be chaos.

God's goal for your life is for you to both accept and understand salvation.

The circumstances He arranges in your life encourage your journey towards that.

God doesn't care for your earthly satisfaction; He cares for your heavenly salvation.

He is not wrapped up in your immidiate indulgences, but He's doing all He can to push you towards eternal joy and peace.

And that is something worth giving thanks for. 365 days a year.

Have a great holiday, BCSMers!