It’s that time of year again.  The leaves have turned & with them the temperatures, signaling a time to once again reflect and give thanks. The weather has changed & with it so have we.  Instead of going outside & enjoying our time outdoors we start to retreat inside to our warm, cozy houses. And kind of parallel to nature, our hearts start retreating as well.  Nights are darker earlier & we find ourselves with a little more time to sit in our favorite spot in the house &  enjoy the quiet.  Time in solitude is naturally conducive to reflection. And so, we find ourselves thinking back over the past year and all of the “mountain tops” & “valleys” we’ve experienced along the way.  For some this year has been their hardest yet.  This past year has held deep hurts & longings unfulfilled.  There are those who have lost loved ones this past year and the pain is still raw.  For still others the past year has been filled with hope & restoration, perhaps even new beginnings. But no matter which of these you find yourself identifying with, this one thing is true for all of us:  “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”  Psalms 136:1

We have this hope.  Whether we are in a place where we can actually “feel” that way or not is entirely separate from the FACT that it is true.  We serve a God who is good & who is steadfast: fixed in intensity or direction; unswerving devotion; marked by firm determination or resolution. These are words that descirbe his love for us, love that endures forever!  If there were ever anything to give thanks for, this is it. So, whether you find yourself today trudging through a valley or enjoying that amazing mountaintop view, his steadfast love is there with you.

I watched a movie last night, kind of a new favorite of mine.  It’s called An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving and it’s based off of the book by Louisa May Alcott. Such a great movie, especially this time of year.  It’s a great reminder that the basics, like love and family, are the things that matter most.  The beginning of the book starts like this: “They were poor in money, but rich in land and love, for the wide acres of wood, corn and pasture land fed, warmed, and clothed the flock, while mutual patience, affection, and courage made the old farm-house a very happy home.”  May this Thanksgiving be one where God reminds us again of his steadfast love.