Tis the season for bells, carols, cookies, chex mix, family traditions, family togetherness, joy, laughter, lights, movies, sleepovers and every good thing from above. These are the days filled with hustle and bustle. Shopping and sharing. Adventure and special events. I’ve heard the phrase more this year than ever “all the things,” basically referring to the enormous list of things that we do at this time of year. We experience 45 days a year in decorated homes and businesses of our special red and green décor to highlight this heartwarming season. Everything about these days encourages us to smile, feel hope and join in on the celebrations.

Why is the natural push of this season to bring hope and joy? What causes that overflowing warmth in our hearts during these days? It’s not a coincidence that they begin with the day of gratitude, Thanksgiving. I’ve often heard that a person cannot be thankful and complain at the same time – it is impossible to do. Many people associate me with constantly having a smile – I consider this a good thing, however, what most don’t understand is that the smile is actually a choice. A choice that carries me through and helps me to look upward in the days I face.

For some, this season triggers sadness and is also paired with deep loss.

For some, this season moves their psyche into deep darkness and pain.

For some, this season causes them to spend more money than they’ve done all year long.

For some, the stress of holiday cooking removes the joy from the equation.

For some, this season is just viewed as ‘one more thing to do’.

How do we take a moment to pause and enjoy “all the things” around us and view each one as a moment of memory in the making? My Pastor spoke last Sunday about Psalm 103 and I was struck again with “all the things”…

Psalm 103 Bless the Lord, my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
² Bless the Lord, my soul,
And do not forget any of His benefits;
³ Who pardons all your guilt,
Who heals all your diseases;
⁴ Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with favor and compassion;
⁵ Who satisfies your ^[a]years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

⁶ The Lord performs ^[b]righteous deeds
And judgments for all who are oppressed.
⁷ He made known His ways to Moses,
His deeds to the sons of Israel.
⁸ The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in mercy.

Verse 1 speaks of “all that is within me… bless His holy name” – when we speak of “all the things of this season” and “all the things within me” I am struck by a sense of awe that when we are enthralled with blessing the Lord with all that is within us it allows us to truly enjoy all the things around us. The beauty of blessing the Lord in our souls comes the freedom of hope, joy, thankfulness for all we can see and not see. The Psalmist David speaks to us about blessing the Lord and His Holy Name three times in 1.5 verses – noting the number 3, divine perfection and completeness. It is clear it is a great idea to bless the Lord. In looking at the “all the things” mentality, how does one do that? Bless the Lord?

• “Forget none of His benefits”
• “Pardons all of your iniquities (guilt)”
• “Heals all of your disease”
• “Redeems your life from the pit”
• “Crowns you with loving kindness and compassion”
• “Satisfies your years with good things.”

These are “all the things” the Lord wants us to remember…. to trust in and fuel our thanksgiving hope and wonder. Is it possible to be thankful when the world is crashing down around you? Absolutely. Is it possible to survive dark seasons of life through being thankful? No question, yes. How do I know? Because I have. Trusting in the Maker of it all, brings freedom and hope. Trusting in the Lord, especially LORD (Jehovah – intimate relational God), brings peace when all is spiraling out of the control. Giving all of our hopes and dreams to Him is the safest place they can be!

When we embrace “all the things” He gives us a truth that we can rest on –

 Who satisfies your ^[a]years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Youth being renewed like an eagle. This is when you SOAR. A sweet wise woman at my church sent me a precious token after my sister passed away – a beautiful Willow Tree girl whose card read “SOAR – a time to reflect, a time to soar.”

How often do we take time to reflect? How often do we stop the chaos and soak in the moments? Can we make time to pause and reflect and take stock on all we have to be thankful for? Yes, yes we can. How do I know? Because it saved my life. On the worst day of the worst moment in the worst part of the journey, there is still something to be thankful for –

• the air we breathe
• the mind we have to recognize loved ones
• the taste of an incredibly moist turkey made in your own oven by your hottie husband
• the voices of children playing in their rooms, saying they are cleaning them 🙂
• the birds chirping
• the windchimes melody
• the leaves falling to make way for a new season
• the snuggles of a pup
• the sun cresting over the hill

Today, as we launch into experiencing “all the things”, I pray we also reflect in gratitude for “all the things.” Today, we won’t allow anything to pass by without acknowledging thanks. Thanks be to our God. Happy Thanksgiving!