Stop to be Thankful! Thanksgiving gives us a reason to remember

I love the fall and the Thanksgiving holiday! This time of year reminds me to stop to be thankful. In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, the leaves begin to change (at least around here!). During this month, I often plan several weekend trips to find that beauty in the leaves. A few weeks ago, a friend and I had planned to take a day trip to find some color in the trees. I ended up getting sick with a sinus infection. Because of COVID and the process of waiting for test results, I had to cancel our trip. I was disappointed! I look forward to these trips all year long.

When I began to feel better, I took a drive on my own- with no chance of spreading an infection to anyone else.

As I drove, I enjoyed that the highway was lined with gorgeous rays of color. I wanted to take some photos but couldn’t find a safe place to pull off the road. When I finally did find a side street, this was the first picture I took. (What I really wanted was just the trees!) I tried multiple times to get the “perfect” picture.

As I look at this picture, now, though, it reminds me that sometimes God gives us signs along this journey called life. In this picture of gorgeous leaves, there’s a stop sign blocking the view. Sometimes He gives us reasons to stop and slow down. My sinus infection meant that I couldn’t go enjoy being with my friend, but I could stop and rest. I realized as I slept for most of one day that my body was exhausted and needed to rest. I’m thankful that He gave me that opportunity to stop even though it wasn’t what I would have planned.

There’s also a Do Not Enter sign in this picture. How many times do I rush full speed ahead in life? I have my agenda planned out. I have things to get done. I have people to see and places to be. But, sometimes, He reminds me to stop and slow down because I need to rest. Sometimes, He wants me to stop and reflect on my priorities. At times, He reminds me that I shouldn’t enter that next thing without slowing down to pray and ask Him for wisdom.

Sometimes, when I stop and think about that next agenda item, He helps me realize it’s my agenda but not His agenda. He helps me realize that I shouldn’t enter into that next thing on my agenda. Maybe He has something else for me.

In this picture, there’s also a One Way sign. When I slow down and talk to Him, He reminds me that I need to follow Him and Him only. He is sovereign. He knows the best plan. I don’t. I like to think I know the best plan, but I don’t.

I’m thankful for this time of year. I’m thankful for His road signs in my life. It’s so good to stop and thank him for what He’s done. Here’s a gratitude list I wrote years ago.

I’m also thankful for the beautiful leaves.

Do you get to see the beauty of those changing colors? If not, what beauty do you see in creation that reminds you of His sovereignty and His plan for your life?

If you’re looking for a way for your students to show gratitude, check out this project I created to use during Thanksgiving. I’ve found, though, that this project works any time of the year!