The Thanksgiving weekend is past. Today is “recovery” day. Most in our nation will return to some version of normalcy. For some, this Thanksgiving has been another traumatic holiday in a string of downturns and challenges. Normal is full of trouble. For others, the holiday was better than normal (or at least better than in recent years)–a sign of economic recovery.
Today, my mind goes back 17 years. The Monday after that Thanksgiving meant dealing with the untimely deaths of my mother and step-father. The trip to Kansas, surreal activities, time to consider the nature of life. Time to think about God and faith and hope; time to question and wonder; time to reflect.
How can one be grateful in difficult days? It is not easy to give thanks in difficult days. I have no easy formulas or suggestions. I can share an observation. The time to decide that God is God and that God is good is before the difficult days come. Once the difficulties come, it is easy to blame God–too easy to second-guess God, and self.
The great challenge of faith is deciding about the evidence objectively. Subjective decisions based on dark days and difficulties in life will ever lead to questioning. (Subjective decisions based on life’s goodness are equally risky!)
God does not do what I think he ought to do, or even what I think he has to do. God is God. God’s thoughts and ways and actions are above human activity and comprehension. God’s eternal view is more than long-term. God’s view is a forever view. For that, I am thankful! Always!