Do you know what your calling in life is? Has it changed over the years? Do you think that there are some callings that don’t ever change?
Here we are in the weeks between the Canadian Thanksgiving (October) and the American Thanksgiving (November). During this Thanksgiving season, I think about the many things I am thankful to God for, the many near-misses He has delivered me from (some of the “saves” are probably unknown to me until I get to heaven), and the wonderful blessings that God has poured out on us as Christians. Blessings to overflowing, and blessings upon blessings.
Which leads me back to my initial question. Dear friend, what has God called you to do? In your own heart, do you know if you’re closer to achieving it or if you’re still struggling along?
Regardless of our individual callings, God has called us to be thankful:
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:18).
As I was thinking about being thankful to God as I press on toward His upward call for my life to write Christian books, I made a list of three points of thankfulness:
- Always thank God.
- Always praise God.
- Always remember God.
Regardless of how far along we are in our journey, we can go so much farther if we are thankful to God for everything. When we obey God, we have peace, and our hearts are filled with gratitude.
What are you most thankful for? Whom are you most grateful for? Feel free to comment.
If you’re the USA, I wish you and your family a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving coming up at the end of the month!
Giveaway: Of all the books I’ve written, I only have two books that are set in the fall (autumn) season. Reach for Me (Vacation Sweethearts Book 2) begins in the Great Smoky Mountains when the beautiful flaming colors of fall have swept across the mountains. Cherish You So (Savannah Sweethearts Book 4) has a few scenes set in the same region, when my main character goes camping with her father at a mountain campground. In any case, I would like to give away one of these two ebooks to a random winner who comments. You can pick whichever ebook you would like to read.
Happy Thanksgiving again! To the rest of the world, you know what they always say: Everyday is a day of thanksgiving!
Thanking Jesus Christ for saving me,
Jan Thompson
USA Today bestselling novelist Jan Thompson writes clean and wholesome multiethnic contemporary Christian romance with elements of women’s fiction, Christian romantic suspense with an air of mystery, and inspirational international thrillers with threads of sweet Christian romance. Join Jan's mailing list for her latest book news: JanThompson.com/newsletter
I am still a work in progress, Jan…I believe I know what my calling is finally, but getting there is a whole different thing, lol! Thanks for the encouragement, though.
I believe I was called to teach little ones they can be successful. I am thankful for my parents who have inspired me in many ways.
I am a work in progress. I thank God I am not where I was several years ago- or even last year. I have grown so much in the last three years. I love what God has brought me too and want so much more of Him. I hunger for more and to be used and go deeper. To hear and see more.
I”m thankful for Jesus, for family, for life, for health, and for those who write stories and for those who read them.
I believe I’ve been called specifically to encourage the Body of Christ. How I do that has changed over the years, but right now, it’s raising two boys to hopefully be leaders in their church someday and to encourage Christian wives to remain faithful to their calling in their marriages by blogging and writing contemporary Christian romance. I’m thankful for my family and for central heat that finally works after years of relying on a fireplace only.
Thank you, Paula Marie, for your comments!
I hear you re: road! Praise the Lord that He is with us all the way!
Hi Lori! Thank you for your comments. A Christian teacher is a blessing!
I thank God for my parents too. They first taught me the love of reading and then of writing.
Thanks again for stopping by!
I’m thankful for Jesus and the grace God gives us. I’m also thankful for my family and that o het to be around them.
Hi Jan! I am thankful that I was able to teach for over 30 years. As a retiree, life has changed. Now I teach my grandkids. As we approach November 9 and the 30th Anniversary of the Berlin Wall, this German American is thankful that my parents took a risk and God provided a sponsor (my Great Uncle Otto) so that we could immigrate to Michigan. Even though life was’t easy while learning a new language, new culture, and the American Dream – my opportunities were much better than my East German cousins. I am thankful for the freedoms in worship, education, shopping my country provided. As a mom, I am thankful for my three sons. While they are not always perfect, they hold down steady jobs – usually in roles of leadership at their place of employment. That says a lot. Now I teach my grandkids. Life is good. I still have my health, a roof over my head, and food on the table. Thanks for the reminder. Best wishes and happy writing.
I believe all of us are works in progress, and I do think our calling can change throughout our lives. Each season of life can bring different opportunities, different callings, and different abilities. God will equip us for each one! Thanks for the reminder, to always be thankful!
I’m thankful for my salvation, my wonderful family, and books.
Thank you, Jeannie! I am too re: “work in progress.” Some preacher once said that we should keep learning until the Lord takes us home. Everyday is a new day to learn more about God.
Appreciate your stopping by!
Praise the Lord! And I thank God for you, Valerie!
Appreciate your comments!
Thank you, Lila! Glad you have heat now. Fireplace is nice too — cozy!
Thank you for being an encourage to your fellow Christians!
Thank you, Megan, for your comments. Indeed, our Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of all praise! And what a blessing it is for Him to give us our family!
Appreciate your stopping by!
Thank you, Renate! What a blessing it is for you to be a teacher. My dad was a teacher too – for over 30 years as well before he retired. He has since gone on to heaven.
Praise the Lord that you’re here in this free country! Yes, I also thank God for the freedom to worship and be free. God is good!
Thanks again for stopping by!
Hello, Trudy! Yes, indeed. Seasons and callings can change (especially as we get older, speaking for myself), for sure. I’m so glad that God does equip us and He goes before us and leads us on the right paths.
Thank you for your comments. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving month!
Thank you for your comments. I most definitely agree. Praise the Lord.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving month!
I am late, We don’t have Thanksgiving in Australia but I am thankful for my two cats that keep me on my toes and help relieve stress. I am thankful for friends who can help me out.
I think if I had only one thing to be thankful for, it would be my salvation freely given! All other things pale in comparison. I am assured I will spend eternity with God, that I am loved unconditionally by Him, that He never leaves me or forsakes me, that He sticks closer than a friend, that He knows me intimately (my fears, my dreams, my hopes), that He will fulfill His promises in my life….and so many other things I can’t possibly name because it would be a very long list!
I look forward to Thanksgiving because my family travels four hours away to my sister-in-laws & niece for an extended weekend to celebrate. They just bought a house in June and I can’t wait to see it (and cook in the HUGE kitchen I’ve only seen pictures of)! We don’t get to spend a lot of time with them because they are so far away, so it’s always a special time when we can all get together. I know a fierce game of Skip-Bo or two is in order…lol!
That’s the second most thing I am thankful for….FAMILY!
Thank you, Ausjenny! Is it almost summer there? We’re heading towards winter in the Northern Hemisphere. I had to start wearing my goose down jacket…
Yes, praise the Lord for friends! And cats too. My cat is somewhat needy (he’s a people cat — needs a lot of hugs and such) so he does hang out and keep me company too.
Thanks again for your comments!
Indeed! I praise the Lord for my salvation in Jesus Christ too. While my post is about Christian thankfulness, I am so glad you brought up salvation in Christ. That is the beginning of endless blessings from God!
That’s quite a drive. Glad you get to spend time with your SIL. Drive safely and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Yes, it’s hard when family is spread out everywhere and it takes a long time to have any kind of family gatherings. I’m thankful for my family too!
Thank you again for your comments!
When I was 7, I decided I wanted to be a nurse and that is what I did when I grew up. I am now a retired RN.