Last week we wrestled with the reality of our living in a predominantly secular world. We took note of the blessing of being part of a faith filled community and cherished even more deeply our relationship with God through the intimacy, the closeness of Yeshua in our lives.

At the same time we are so aware of the hard times in which we live. We are blessed to experience His Truth, and yet unless we choose to hide from the news, we emotionally grapple with tragic headlines, lives lost, suffering. I am so encouraged by the truce in Israel’s north, yet saddened by the lives lost in the south. I am heartened by the survivors of devastating illnesses yet heartbroken at those whose diseases have no cure. I’m grateful for the rain putting out the wildfires yet saddened by those who lost all. The both/and of life is real.

Our lives can’t escape the rollercoaster emotions that living brings. Yet the constant remains – we are not on this journey alone. Yeshua is suffering alongside us, with us, through the challenge whatever it is. In His life here He, too, suffered. Suffering is part of life. Yet through His death and resurrection He has shown us the bigger picture, the reality of hope in a life beyond what we can understand and in the enigmatic necessity of suffering for the fruit it bears. In the knowledge of this hope and paradox we can experience joy. When we internalize the truth of His reality, we can feel His love and understanding that bring us through the hard times which are inevitable for all of us, personally and societally.

In God’s divine mercy, despite all that could hold me back from enjoying life, I choose happiness, and thankfulness, especially on this day of Thanksgiving. Given the many ways we could be pulled differently, the many hardships we experience, personally and societally, the choice is still up to us to decide how we will live these days. Even if we are personally suffering, ill, as some of us are, we will actually feel better despite the pain if we don’t lose sight of His Presence with us, if we don’t lose sight of all that we have to be grateful for in our lives.

When we have health challenges, not everything in our bodies has disease or illness. We can still be grateful for what isn’t broken or painful, starting with our ability to take a single breath. If we start from there, we become able to recognize, to rationally and emotionally feel, that everything that IS working is a miracle and one for which we can be truly grateful. Then if we are fortunate to heal or improve, how grateful we are for something we took for granted, to no longer be in pain, to have hope for better health in the future. We become better caregivers of our bodies instead of taking them for granted.

We cannot minimize the tension in Gaza but we can be thankful for the truce with Lebanon. We can be disappointed in a political situation but be grateful for the ability to converse and act freely. We can be disappointed in weather’s effect on our personal plans for travel but be grateful for its need for our water tables. We can be frustrated in conversations but be reminded to never take for granted His Presence in our lives. We can become even more grateful for His Presence in our lives.

So much for which to be grateful, most gloriously for His Love.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Thanksgiving!

Diane