The Works of God

This is a special Thanksgiving Day in our home, and my gratitude to God is simply overflowing!  The gratitude is heightened because I have memories of holidays that were, at best, an obligation.

God is kind to have changed my heart so dramatically over these years.

There is a whole list of things that have never happened in my home before, that, Lord willing, will all come together at noon today:

• 20 people are coming.  We’ve never had that many on Thanksgiving before.
• We have no kitchen (long story).  There are ways to have a meal for 20 that doesn’t include a kitchen, but it’s complicated.  But there is also relief – whatever happens, happens!
• Four generations of Knights are gathering!
• Three generations of Hahns are gathering!
• My children have never had all their living grandparents together for a holiday, ever.

The group includes 7 children under the age of 16; my four and my nephew’s daughter and unborn twins!  (Yes, I include my unborn grandnieces or nephews or niece and nephew in the count!)

It also includes two multiply disabled children in my son and my niece on the Hahn side.

Best of all, up and down the entire group that is gathering are experiences of ‘as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.’   The struggle of this life has not ended; there are hard things everywhere.

Yet, God is good, always, in all circumstances.

May you experience that comfort that comes from clinging to Jesus this day!

Here’s a silly picture explaining how we’re all related: