We’re getting close to Thanksgiving here in the States (and it’s next week for my friends up north in Canada). It’s always nice to pause and reflect on your blessings and give thanks. I truly believe we should give thanks a lot more often than once a year. After all, it’s a key to being joyful!
I recently read the book of Esther from beginning to end, something I’ve never done before, and it stirred something in my soul. Have you read it? It’s an awesome story of redemption, faith, hope, and joy.
Here’s the Cliff Notes version:
A wealthy king falls in love with a Jewish woman, Esther, because of her beauty, and doesn’t know she’s Jewish when he makes her his queen. The king’s right-hand man, Haman, gets mad because Esther’s uncle Mordecia won’t bow to him, so he plots to kill all Jews, including Mordecai.
Haman convinces the king to sign an edict giving permission for all the Jews in the land to be killed on a specific date. And because he can’t stand Mordecai, he also builds a gallow at his own house with the intent to hang him.
Throught divine intervention, Esther is able to reveal Haman’s true intentions to the king in time to save her uncle and her people. The king ordered for Haman to be hanged on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai! And, in the battle against the Jews that Haman originated, the Jews fight back and kill 75,000 attackers!
The Jews set aside the day after the battle as a day of celebration, and that day was to be set aside every year in remembrance and thanksgiving for the saving grace of God on their people.
{There’s way more plot twists and it’s really awesome, so you should totally read it.}
All was lost for the Jews. They knew they were going to be attacked, and really thought this was to be the end for them. The Lord intervened and they were saved, and they were joyful. They were thankful and celebrated, and continue to celebrate!
You know, we tend to feast at Thanksgiving, and celebrate together with family. I know our American Thanksgiving traditions stemmed from the pilgrims, but to be honest, I like this Thanksgiving feast so much better, don’t you!?
We don’t have to wait until November to feast & celebrate and be thankful. We can do it daily. When you start to feel as though it’s hard to find joy, starting feasting on your blessings. We are blessed beyond measure, and by focusing on those blessings, and celebrating them, we will begin to feel that joy come creeping back into our hearts!
Call to action:
Count your blessings. Consider starting a gratitude journal, and log a few of your blessings each day. Make it a family affair – place a jar on the counter and have each person write one blessing each day on a slip of paper, then put it in the jar. When the jar is full, sit down & read them together.
However you do it, be sure to thank the Lord for the many blessings He has given you.
Reminders:
Today’s Instagram prompt is: “Gratitude”
– Share using #31JoyfulDays and @sweetteagrace
You can also visit my sweet friend Tricia who is sharing 31 Days of Documenting your Life with Joy through photography. Visit her blog HERE and follow along on Instagram HERE.
