“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16 (ESV)
We turned our clocks back last weekend signifying the beginning of November – the gratitude month. The time of year when our hearts center on thankfulness and delish food as we gather around the table. As I’ve been reading about gratitude over the last few days, I love one of Webster’s definitions of grateful “affording pleasure or contentment.”
Now to be totally honest, I never thought about gratitude as a sense of contentment, but isn’t that at the true heart of one who is thankful? A thankful person is one who can see God’s goodness all around them void of circumstances. Their gratitude isn’t based on what’s going on or not going on in their life, but rather a deep well of contentment in the One that truly satisfies.
Reflecting on those first Thanksgivings, survival was at the forefront of the early settlers’ minds. Gathering around the table, they felt the love of others and knew that whatever happened during those bitter winter months, they would face them together. It was a grand harvest celebrating new friendships with the Native Americans. It was a pivotal celebration of God’s provisions, which also included the blessings of one another.
The best way I have found to keep contentment before me is to zero in on the loving kindness of our God. To know with confidence that He is trustworthy and true. Despite whatever life births (ease or challenge), the character of our God is never changing. And those ones He strategically places in our lives to lock arms with us, to encourage us and to simply be present in our days are treasured gifts.
So as we move into November, may we carve in time to sit in silence and reflection recalling how God has carried us this year. May we release any areas of discontentment in getting results or answers we desperately sought and simply enjoy the pleasure of His presence. Grab a pen and paper and list the aspects of God’s character He has revealed to you as you navigated 2026. Ask God to lift your gaze from the challenges and enlarge your view of His faithfulness and His power to transform us for His glory. Reflect on the encouragement present at our gatherings and others who have reminded us that regardless of what we face – we’re in this together.
Sweet friends, if you happen to be one whose year has left you devastated, lonely and the very thought of gathering seems impossible – then welcome God’s grace. Your thankfulness may seem void and empty, yet I encourage you to seek His face. Curl up in His lap and pour out your brokenness. Bring your tears, disappointments and heartaches. Allow our sweet Jesus to draw you close and shower you with His love. He already knows. He has already seen. And God welcomes you with grace to His table.
“Father, teach our hearts to be filled with contentment that overflows with gratitude not only for what You do but who You are. And as we gather this month may we encourage others to see Your goodness regardless of their circumstances.”
For His Glory
Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life
Leave a Reply