I thank my God, every time I think of you.

Maybe you have someone like this in your life. You’re thankful they are in your life. You smile when you think of them: grandchildren, a committed friend, the silly sales guy, the lady at the department store who goes above and beyond every time you see her. There are people who carry a reminder of God’s ultimate and inexhaustible joy where ever they go. Laughter and lightness of spirit sometimes accompany joy. Tears can also accompany joy in the midst of tragedy. Joy comes in the morning, the psalmist says. (Psalm 30:5)

The Apostle Paul thanked God when he thought about the faithful people who worshipped Christ in a little church in Philippi.

It’s a beautiful thing when remembrance and gratitude are bonded together. It is a good and beautiful thing to have nothing but happy memories. I think that's how Paul remembered the Christians at Philippi. To remember them and their time together brought no regrets, only happiness. This perspective is an outcome of our Christ-like disposition. It is human to focus on the pain, it is divine to focus on the God who redeems our pain and heals our brokenness. Christians are a people with hope. God is at work writing another narrative that includes all our experiences and somehow honors each of them and their impact with joy.

Gratitude and joy are delightful companions of our life with Christ. Our joy is Christian joy, not a counterfeit joy dependent upon our level of fulfillment or happiness. It is with joy that Paul prays for his friends. The Letter to the Philippians has been called The Epistle of Joy. The whole point of the letter to the Philippians is to rejoice—to gladden and feel delight.

Thankfulness and gratitude can become a good habit just like gloominess and despondency can become a bad habit. I have family members who are habitual 'Gloomy Gusses.' I learned that if I could love them like Jesus loved them, I could find something to make them laugh. Astonishingly, their whole mood lightened by simply redirecting their focus. I often witness how Jesus redeems someone’s whole narrative by honoring their gloominess and offering ‘option b.’ So often we fall into the trap of despair. The glass is half-empty. No one understands me. Loneliness creeps in and hijacks a heart still tender and vulnerable in need of healing. Jesus works his miracles so brilliantly, I wish we could do the same.

Thanksgiving approaches. Take time to give thanks. Dare I challenge you to also rejoice? I thank God every time I think of you. I’m smiling right now—I hope you can imagine it. My love for you grows each day and becomes stronger with each opportunity we have to worship, study, learn or serve together. But, my love pales in comparison to the love of our Savior has for you. His love is completely pure. His love is all-encompassing. His love is redeeming and fulness of life is experienced with absolute delight not because we are so good or deserving but because He is…good and deserving and delights in you.

Light a memory candle.

It may have been a tough year. There may be empty places at your table this year for the holidays. Be honest, feel every emotion in it’s entirety. Go ahead and miss people and honor them. Light a memory candle this holiday season to help you remember and place it on the table when your family is gathered together. Talk about them and remember. Mourn with those who mourn. (Romans 12:15) That same scripture also says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice.” (Romans 12:15) Rejoice that our place is with Christ forever. Rejoice that God took special care to come close to you and that His love is unfailing, unwavering and faithful to the end. Rejoice, my friends, rejoice! It will change you.

Happy and blessed Thanksgiving greetings to you from Bill and I.

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3 NIV