In the Isaacs tradition, Thanksgiving involves family, food, fun and lots of laughter.  When I was younger, my parents and my siblings would gather around the table and after we ate, we lit a candle and shared what we were thankful for.  It was always a special reminder that a grateful heart is a gift from the Lord.   We have much to be thankful for.

This year, the clan is in Ohio with Kathy and me (my sons, their wives and four grands). We rotate and this year we will not celebrate thanksgiving in person with my parents and siblings.  Yet, I know they will likewise continue the tradition, as we have to pause in the midst of it all to represent a grateful heart.  For the next few days, I plan to use this space to express my GRATEFUL thoughts…

Today, I’m grateful to be saved.

I cannot fully explain it but in the past two years there has been an unusual move of God in my life that continues to express gratitude to God for saving me.  I did not deserve God’s son and his physical sacrifice as penalty for my sins.  I understand some of the theology involved but I still cannot seem to grasp how much God must love me to be willing to do Calvary–in order that I might be saved!  When I think of my salvation, I know I can never measure up, earn or merit such grace and mercy on my behalf.  Here’s what I am going to do…

I’m going to live, as best I can, the kind of life that would be the best possible witness for Jesus. So, wherever I am, wherever I go, I pray my life will reflect the gratitude in my heart that God saved me.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (Psalms 100:2-4)