It’s the beginning of a new week,Thanksgiving week, and naturally our minds turn toward gratitude. We pause and intentionally consider what we’re thankful for. But not everyone approaches this week from the same place. Some of our friends may be struggling to find anything to be grateful for. Others may be experiencing what I often call a crisis of gratitude, so overwhelmed with God’s goodness that tears can come at any moment.

Both groups need to be heard. Both need someone willing to sit with them and truly understand their season.

For those whose year has been heavy, who are trying to dig deep to find a single thing to say at the Thanksgiving table, my heart goes out to you. My prayers are with you. I pray you remember how valuable you are in God’s eyes. I pray you remember that the very act of digging means something, because you still have breath, you still have a soul, and you still have life inside you searching for meaning.

For those overflowing with gratitude, tears ready to spill at the thought of God’s goodness, I ask you to pray for the ones who are struggling. Let your abundance intercede for their emptiness.

The truth is, everything depends on the frame of mind we are in right now.

Sometimes, instead of trying to force the perfect “gratitude answer,” what we really need is to adjust the frame. Think of a picture frame: when it’s crooked, anyone walking by can tell. Someone will say, “That’s a little off,” and my friends with OCD will fix it instantly.

That’s what I’m inviting us to do today, fix the frame.

Because the picture hasn’t changed:

You are still loved.

Grace is still covering you.

Gifts have still been given to you.

God’s goodness is still present.

But maybe the picture isn’t showing clearly because the frame is tilted.

So today, let’s gently straighten the frame of our mind. Let’s reposition our perspective. Once we do, we’ll see, there are beautiful things waiting for us, and countless reasons to be GRATEFUL!!!