I’ve often been asked about this unique holiday throughout my years of overseas life…a holiday set aside solely for giving thanks and enjoying family. Today, I’m sharing 10 Thankful Days – Part Two. Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

I’m not sure how you are observing Thanksgiving this year. Maybe you’ve chosen to forgo your typical large gathering in light of our country’s current health realities. Regardless of what your table looks like today, God’s presence can still inhabit your heart and home. So, before I type one more word, I just want to share this song with you…close your eyes and think about the Lord.

Now, let’s finish up my 10 Thankful Days, Part Two.

My Man

I reached the point several years ago when I realized that I had experienced more years of knowing and loving my man than not. This man who gets me, pampers me, and yes, pushes me to rise to the challenge on some occasions when he knows I’ve got it in me to do so. We are Sam and Shellie…in life together regardless of what comes our way.

Beauty

There’s so much beauty in this world if we take a moment to appreciate it…the beauty of God’s handiwork in nature, a well-considered design or a well-curated outfit…or, how about a well-worded sentiment. All of these things reflect beauty.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet^[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3: 11

My Overseas Life

Our lives are but a reflection of our experiences, so naturally, my 25+ years in Asia have inevitably left their mark. I am keenly aware that the world is much bigger than me or my people or my country. Thankfully, I’ve gained a greater perspective of true sorrow, suffering and sacrifice, which gives me greater empathy for others who don’t share my faith, my background or my circumstances.

My Sweet Four

I love to sit in a room and just listen to my grown kids talk to each other. Although our times together are less frequent these days, I relish every moment. This year’s celebration will be faces on a screen and yes, I’ll be thankful for that too.

My Many Blessings

Finally, I end this post with a shout-out to opened eyes; to the very fact that I recognize that my many blessings come from God. It is God alone who invests my life with meaning and purpose…and for this, I am exceedingly grateful.

Faith brings greater meaning to everything else on my list. It’s my faith in an all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present heavenly Father who knows me better than I know myself…a Jesus who offers grace beyond what I deserve, patience beyond what I merit and shelter in a year of storms that gives context for all my other bountiful blessings.

Lastly, I’m thankful for those of you who share life with me across the miles and megabytes each and every week. To you I say, “Happy Thanksgiving!”

~ Shellie

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