I am somewhat dreading today (as are most educators across the nation, I believe). Halloween is not all that fun for us. Kids are so excited that they can hardly contain themselves. Listening is next to impossible. So are controlled bodies. Yes, today will be challenging – and the aftermath of a late night and a sugar hangover tomorrow isn’t all that appealing either…
While this week in October is stressful, today also ends the month. We are on the gateway to November! November. I love the fact that this new month feels like a transition from the dark decorations of ghosts, witches, and goblins to the beauty of fall. Harvest bounty, pumpkins, leaves, and even silly turkeys are such a better fit for me than Halloweens ghouls.
November also brings my family together to give thanks. I love Thanksgiving. I love the traditions involved. I think it’s great when the family collaborates to pull together a feast. I think it’s wonderful when my children are all together or when I can join my parents and siblings for a day of togetherness. I love the idea of being thankful. I think too often we forget to be thankful.
Life is hard. I am not trying to minimize that. Certainly, there are huge pieces of my life that I wish were easier – less stressful. But despite the struggles – I am and have always been, for that matter, blessed.
This morning I want to share a Psalm with you that was a part of my quiet time today. It’s simply a Psalm of praise to a God who deserves more praise than we could ever give Him. It’s a Psalm of praise to a God whose power, love, and faithfulness exceed our comprehension. May it be a Psalm of Thanksgiving for your heart as we find ourselves entering into November.
“Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth! Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving: go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” (Psalm 100)
Blessings!