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I would think I am not alone in my thoughts I have regarding Thanksgiving 2020. After 11 months we have seen nothing but full blown heavy drama that sees no end in sight. Being thankful this year has a whole new meaning. To many they have a new lease on being thankful, while others are far from it. Bottom line, people are going along with it, but their hearts are not in it. The whole idea of thankfulness has only it's symbol of a cooked turkey, mashed potatoes, and apple pie. I think most people who are gathering together are doing so with heaviness.   A few nights ago I awoke thinking about Thanksgiving coming up, and what it really means to be thankful. I started to think about what I am truly thankful for. A flood of very bad memories, even the worse ones that made me wince, came flooding in. It was like watching a video of my whole life play out before my eyes. I said to the Lord, "Oh Lord, no, I don't want to remember that, or that!" Then I wished He would erase the worse ones away. Then I remembered that I had begged Him long ago during a three week onslaught of the absolutely worst vivid memories full of the deepest darkest pain. I cried out, "Lord please erase these memories from my mind!"   

I heard His voice deep within say to me, "If I were to erase them, then I would have to erase Myself." I understood what He meant. If I were to forget all the horrible things in my past, then I would have to forget every time He deliverd and rescued me. I understood that the giving of thanks is not an automaton response as the Children of God, but one born out of those who have received His great mercy in the hardest afflictions. In Psalm 66:11-12 it says, "Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place."  It is His mercy bestowed upon us that gives us thankful hearts to Him, and makes us "vessels of mercy prepared afore time unto glory."  "Oh give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, His mercy endureth forever." So it is clear, that our thanksgiving is in response to the receiving of His enduring mercies all the days of our lives. The Lord give you mercy and grace this Thanksgiving, and remember Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for you, which is the greatest gift of mercy this world can ever know. In heaven, we will never cease to give Him thanks forever and ever. We will cast our crowns before Him, the One who sits upon His mercy seat. "For mercy is built up in the heavens." 

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