Happy Thanksgiving!

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV), "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my of my salvation."

I know that Facebook news feeds have been overrun with thankful statuses, and I did manage to make one of my own...notice I said one.  I have been a slacker in that department.  It isn't because I have nothing to be thankful for or because I am too cool school.  October & November have been a tad rough with the absence of my dad.  My 30th birthday was celebrated with an 80's themed birthday party & it was a ton of fun, filled with friends, food, laughter & lots of hairspray ;)  But it was bittersweet because this was my first birthday without a funny card from my dad signed "Love Dad."

As I type this I am in Philly awaiting my younger brother's arrival so that we can celebrate the holiday with our older brother, his wife & their kids.  I'm very thankful to be spending time with all of them & I know the food will rock the house (older bro is a chef!)!  I love them all dearly, I truly do, but he isn't here.

I have sadly returned to some old comforts to try to dull the pain of his absence.  I am grateful that they haven't been detrimental, but they haven't been righteous.  I have turned to things & people instead of the God of my salvation.  The Lord has dealt so mercifully with me this year & without His love, provision & protection, this year would have been unbearable.  I am eternally grateful that His love is bigger than the ocean & that He rains it upon us.  He has provided me with an amazing community of people who love me & want to be there for me.  However I struggle with isolating myself in order to self protect.  I wonder if this is a behavior I will always struggle with.  I hope not...yuck!  I am also very much grateful that I serve a loving & forgiving God!!

So this Thanksgiving holiday I am thankful for my Lord & Savior; my family; my friends; safe travel; and gravy ;)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!