A Broken Thanksgiving

Today a lady came to tour the Church Preschool and Daycare. As she walked the halls she shared with Michelle Oney, the director, that she had just lost her four year old to cancer in September. She cried. Michelle held her. This year will be a broken Thanksgiving.

King David’s fear and brokenness gave way to praise and thanksgiving in Psalm 56. He had just been captured by the Philistines in Gath. Men had died. Feelings of loss, disappointment, and defeat cast a shadow of lament. Yet he found it within himself to turn to the God, in whom he trusted, and give praise. The Lord knew his sorrow:

8 You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.
9 My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
This I know: God is on my side!
10 I praise God for what he has promised;
yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.
11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?

For some of us, this Thanksgiving is filled with great joy, whole families, healing, and trust, but for others it is not. No matter where you are today, I pray that you will find it within your soul to give thanks to the amazing God, who knows and loves you. He understands your sorrow. May He hold you close as you celebrate this broken Thanksgiving.