Happy Thanksgiving (2025)
A Thanksgiving Shaped by Grace: Learning Gratitude in Every Season
Thanksgiving has a unique way of slowing us down. For a brief moment, the rush of the season gives way to reflection on God’s goodness, His faithfulness, and His steady hand in both the joys and sorrows of our lives. Gratitude is not merely a feeling that comes when life is easy; it is an act of worship that reorients our hearts toward the God who holds all things together.
This year, our family has walked through extraordinary joy and deep sorrow. Many of you know that my wife, Amy, received the precious gift of a liver transplant, something that felt impossible at the beginning of the year. We watched God open a door that many do not receive. Thousands wait. Many do not survive the wait. We are profoundly grateful for the donor who made that gift possible, for the doctors who cared for her, and for the mercy of God that sustained us in uncertainty.
Yet woven alongside that joy have been heavy and painful moments, seasons of difficulty we never expected. As many of you know from your own story, life rarely moves in a straight line. Joy and sorrow often travel together. And yet, in every turn, God’s sovereign hand has been present. Steady. Faithful. Unchanging.
The Call to Gratitude in a Broken World
Romans 1:21 reminds us that the great failure of humanity begins here: not honoring God (glorifying Him) and not giving thanks (gratitude). When gratitude disappears, our vision of God becomes distorted, and life begins to unravel. But when we return to thanksgiving, when we intentionally recognize God as the giver of every good gift, something changes inside us. Gratitude steadies the heart. It anchors us in truth. It reminds us that even in a broken world, God’s kindness is not absent.
Thanksgiving lifts our eyes from what is painful to what is eternal. It teaches us to see beyond our circumstances and to rest in the character of the God who has saved us.
Every Good Gift Comes from Him
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17, ESV).
Life. Breath. Strength. Work. Family. Friends. Church community. The grace that meets us in our weakness. The mercies that are new every morning. And above all, the gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ.
There is a worship song that has been on my mind lately, “Thank You Jesus for the Blood.” Its message is simple and profound. Even if everything else were stripped away, if we had only Christ, we would still have immeasurable reason to give thanks.
This Thanksgiving, take time to remember what matters most:
- Christ has redeemed you.
- He walks with you.
- He sustains you.
- He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Gratitude flows not from perfect circumstances but from remembering a perfect Savior.
Choosing Gratitude Today
Here are a few simple ways to cultivate a thankful heart this Thanksgiving:
1. Pause and Remember
List five specific ways God has shown you His kindness this year, both in the joys and in the trials. Gratitude grows when we trace His fingerprints in our story.
2. Speak Your Thanks Aloud
Tell someone what you’re thankful for. Thanksgiving strengthens the soul when it becomes a shared testimony.
3. Praise God for Who He Is
Not only for what He has done, but for His unchanging character: His love, His mercy, His faithfulness, His sovereignty.
Choosing gratitude is choosing to see life through the lens of God’s grace.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the gift of life, the gift of Your presence, and the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Teach us to cultivate gratitude in every season, whether joyful or painful. Help us to honor You and give thanks always. Strengthen our hearts with the hope of the Gospel and remind us daily of Your unfailing love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Call to Action
If you want to grow deeper in gratitude, peace, and biblical wisdom this season, explore the resources available at jameslongjr.org or consider joining my Lessons for Life coaching program for personal, biblical support: jameslongjr.org/community
If you would like a simple way to develop a grateful heart, I will also attach a free gratitude journal for anyone interested.