Month: November 2020

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THANK YOU FAMILY

Jennifer White

Thanksgiving has me thinking on my family lately. The longer I live the more I think about the people who came before me. This week I read through some of my ancestry that dated back to the 1500’s. My family came from England, Wales, and Scotland. I don’t know who they were, or why they came to America, but for some reason, somehow, and someway they made the trip.

This picture of my grandpa is a reflection of who my family is. They were Appalachian Mountain, country folks who worked hard, minded their own business and spent a lot of time trying to survive. Most of my family were share croppers, and workers in a factories or the railroad. Somewhere along the way music and their faith in God became a big part of who they were.

So you see, I’m thinking about how my life influences my family now and in the future. I will never know the impact that my choices will have on generations to come. Maybe a bad pattern needs to stop, and possibly a good pattern needs to start with my branch of the tree. That’s something to think about.

Thank you family for having courage, tenacity, and faith in God. I plan to continue that pattern during my time in the family tree. This Thanksgiving I want to say thank you to family past, present and future!

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Thank You Difficulties

Jennifer White

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. Isaiah 45:3 KJV

Thank you difficulties, hard times, challenges and the rest of the ugly stuff in life. Although the good times have outnumbered the bad, I have to equally say thank you to both. There are treasures to be found in the difficulties of this life.

Failure made me strive for success.

Heartache made me humble.

Hunger made me grateful for my food.

Sickness made me appreciate health.

Failure made me work harder.

Moving made me cherish friendship.

Death made me long for heaven.

Brokenness made me cling to Christ.

Challenges made me patient.

Uncertainty made me courageous.

Hard times made me stronger.

Loneliness made me compassionate.

So, I say thank you difficulties! Thank you for the opportunities you have given me to learn, grow and be thankful. After all, without the rain there would be no flowers.

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Thank You Church

Jennifer White

Thank you church! I’m talking about the local church that I’m a part of, although I’m also thankful for the universal body of Christ. I’ve never been so glad to go to the house of the Lord as I have been in 2020. The pandemic shook us up pretty good. Churches have faced difficult times throughout it’s existence. Each era of difficulties are unique but there has always been one common theme, the threat to extinguish the church. Our 2020 challenges may not be as extreme compared to times past, but that doesn’t mean they are insignificant.

I know the local church is not perfect. It’s filled with sinners saved by grace who happen to be in different stages of spiritual growth. Some are babies, some are mature, and some are stunted in their growth. God loves them all and they all have a part in the local church.

Church is essential to me. It’s where I find accountability, encouragement and growth in my Christian life. I love contributing my time, talent and treasure to it. It’s the place where we greet one another, comfort one another, forgive one another, serve one another, build one another up, pray for one another. See the pattern? It’s all about one another. God made it that way because He wants us to think of others more than ourselves.

This year, I thank God for the local church because I saw it stand strong in turbulent times. I saw it step outside the box and be flexible. I saw the people of the local church go wherever the church went. Online, outside, or indoors. I saw more gratitude from our members for each other, the preacher, the teachers, the choir, our ministries and especially the altar.

Do your best to be involved. We are all a part of the body and it can’t function as effectively without all the parts. Yes, even with it’s faults, flaws and imperfections I am thankful for my local church.

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Thank You 2020

Jennifer White

Thank you 2020! Chances are you haven’t heard that one unless it was said sarcastically. 2020 can be described in so many ways. Many want to forget it, but some want to cherish it. It’s been a curse and a blessing. 2020 has been one of the most difficult years for some people. Sickness, death, loneliness, depression, unhealthy, anger, frustration, financial hardships and fear. 2020 has been one of the best years for other people. Slower pace, more family time, cooking at home, improved health, new found focus, money saved, things cleaned out, and peace.

No matter which description fits your 2020, one thing is common for all…we won’t be getting 2020 back. Some of you are saying hooray to this news, and some of you are sad to see it go. Let me remind you of how the Bible describes our time here on earth. The scripture says our life is like small particles of moisture that suspend in the air for a few moments and then POOF they disappear.

I don’t know what 2020 was like for you and none of us know what is to come in 2021. I don’t want to be ungrateful for any year, day, hour or minute that God gives me here on earth. All of it is for my good and His glory. Our job is to live for God all the way to the finish line.

So thank you 2020 for the lessons I’ve learned, the reminder of how fragile life is, and for helping me realize that I need to live more for others and God.