Giving Thanks

As I’m writing this, I’m overstuffed with too much delicious food after enjoying time with family.  My favorite combination of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and green bean casserole all mixed together.  With pumpkin pie for dessert, of course!  Yes, a food coma!  Why do we do this to ourselves?

Giving thanks relationally is part of expanding our joy capacity, an important function in life in general but also in the healing process.  We can only process trauma to the degree that we have enough joy capacity.  Without this, we are overwhelmed, in despair and cannot do the work of healing. 

It is not so much just thinking about things we are grateful for, but remembering relational connections that bring us joy.  Times when we feel loved and cared for.  Seeing the delight in someone’s eyes to be with us. This is what helps us to feel like we belong and that there is hope. 

Even if we do not have people in our life with whom we can share joy, we do have True FAMILY who rejoice over us with singing – always, not just because we did something “good.”  They delight to be with us even when we are struggling, sad, or even angry with Them.  They consistently care and love us no matter what.  I know you know that in your head, but I hope that you take a moment to see the delight in Their eyes and to feel Their smile on you.  This is what the verse means that says: "The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." '(Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV)  Can you see those eyes of love?  I hope you can! 

And I am grateful for this community.  I am thinking about many of you whom I know.  I see your smiling faces and it brings me joy today.  There’s many of you whom I have not yet met, but I want you to know that I value who you are and want you to know that you matter.  I am grateful, so very grateful for this community and for each of you.  You help me expand my joy capacity.  Let’s expand our joy capacity together!