In America, each year in November we celebrate our national holiday called Thanksgiving.

Every school child learns the story of the courageous Pilgrims who set sail on the Mayflower from Europe, braving the elements for two months before arriving in Plymouth, Massachusetts in November 1620. They came seeking a New World, religious freedom, and a better life.

A year later, the pilgrims celebrated God’s gracious gifts with prayer, thanksgiving, and a special feast. The tradition continued, and in 1863 President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. The date was set as the fourth Thursday in November. 

The timing of Lincoln’s Proclamation was significant, being delivered during the height of the bloody Civil War. Nevertheless, Lincoln called all Americans to prayer with a message of optimism and genuine thankfulness, reminding them that even in the midst of dark days there is much to be thankful for.

The Proclamation began:

The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

As the Pilgrims journeyed in search of the New World, Scripture reminds us that as Christians our journey through life on this earth is also one as sojourners (those who stay somewhere temporarily) and pilgrims (those on a journey to a better, sacred place).

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light . . . Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims . . . that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God . . .   (I Peter 2:9, 11-12) 

Hebrews 11 outlines many heroes of the faith, concluding in verse 13:

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 

Despite the mounting troubles and distress in our world today, the message throughout Scripture is one of hope—of a better day coming when there will be no more sorrow, sickness, war, or death. A message of life eternal.

God encourages us to keep our eyes on what lies ahead:

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Is your journey focused on what lies ahead? Are you a pilgrim?

As we gather this Thanksgiving, may our hearts be filled with thanks for God’s abundant blessings—family, food, friends, another year. Throughout our darkest days we remember that our journey through this life on earth is only a part of our final destiny.

In Christ alone we have this Hope. In Him we give thanks.

Copyright © 2024 Cheryl Elton

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One of the greatest turning points in my life and faith was when I realized I don’t have to live a life of reactions: meaning when I speak and my words are favorably received, I’m happy; but when not, my smile quickly disappears.

No longer need I let people and circumstances dictate the inner joy of my heart, leaving me wounded by someone’s words or actions, or down because it’s raining again.

I can cultivate a cheerful heart.

Now maybe you’re thinking, “Life is hard right now. How can I possibly have a cheerful heart in these circumstances?”

Jesus tells us in this present life we will have trouble:

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.  (John 16:33)

But because He has overcome the world, we can be of good cheer. Even in the midst of great difficulty or sorrow, beneath the pain there is peace, because the Lord is present. I can experience deep-seated joy, because Jesus is my strength, and in Him, there is always hope.

In Him, my heart can be cheerful.

Other scriptures talk about the benefits of a cheerful or merry heart:

A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.  (Proverbs 15:13)

But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.  (Proverbs 15:15)

A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.  (Proverbs 17:22)

Singing, praising God, and giving thanks lend themselves to a cheerful heart.

Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (Ephesians 5:19-20)

When your heart needs hope, and needs to find its happy place—its merry place—try this:

          Sing when you feel terrible. 

          Praise God in the midst of your difficulties. 

          Give thanks when you don’t feel like it.

Soon you’ll be smiling, encouraged by His ever-abiding presence and the peace and hope only He can give.

You will find yourself with a cheerful heart!
Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Elton

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A feeling of finality came over me as I thumbed through, then closed my 2016 monthly planner.

December 31. Another year ended . . .

By the grace of God it had been a good year, despite some unexpected challenges and changes. He had seen us through.

We are grateful.

As I open my new 2017 calendar I pause to admire its clean pages. Each one an empty slate, soon to be filled in with day-to-day happenings, appointments, and special occasions.

A new year brings hope. A sense of new beginnings. A time to redefine goals and sharpen our focus on what is truly important.

To look ahead to new and better days . . .

Like the first blank page of a new calendar year, our new life in Christ is a new beginning—each and every day. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV) 

The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is now the transforming power of Christ dwelling in us—enabling us to put away old deplorable behaviors, and change—becoming more and more like Him.

“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” (Romans 6:4 NLT) 

As we begin the New Year, may we take time to be still in His presence—allowing Him to strengthen us and give us direction for the days ahead—to fill us with His peace, His joy, His hope. 

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NKJV) 

Each day, may we be transformed more and more into His likeness as we live in His presence.

Copyright © 2017 Cheryl Elton

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As we celebrate our national holiday of Thanksgiving, I’ve been coming across numerous articles about the countless benefits of cultivating an attitude of gratitude in our lives.

According to Scripture, an unthankful heart displeases God. He exhorts us to always give thanks, and to be thankful in all circumstances. It’s through praise and thanksgiving that we enter His presence.

A powerful way to build thanks and praise into our lives is to personalize scriptures and offer them to God as prayers and proclamations of our faith.

The Psalms are great for this. They are beloved by so many because they relate to a wide gamut of human emotions and conditions, and many express great praise and thanksgiving to God.

Here are some verses I’ve personalized from Psalms 100, 118, and 103, which can be used as a starting point:

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;                                                                          May I serve the Lord with gladness;                                                                               And come before Him with joyful singing.                                                                       I know Lord, that you are God;                                                                                              It is you that has made us, not we ourselves;

We are your people,                                                                                                           And the sheep of your pasture.                                                                                 Therefore I enter your gates with thanksgiving,                                                                And your courts with praise.                                                                                               I give thanks to you Lord,                                                                                                 And bless your name.

For the Lord is good,                                                                                                            His lovingkindness is everlasting.                                                                                         His faithfulness is to all generations.                                                                                  

In my distress I called upon you, Lord;                                                                          You answered me and set me in a large place.                                                              Lord, you are for me—I will not fear;                                                                                   What can man do to me?                                                                                                        It is better that I take refuge in you, Lord,                                                                    Than to trust in man. 

Bless the Lord, O my soul,                                                                                                    May all that is within me,                                                                                                   Bless your holy name.                                                                                                          Bless the Lord, O my soul,                                                                                                       I will not forget your benefits.

You pardon all my iniquities,                                                                                             You heal all my diseases,                                                                                                    You redeem my life from the pit,                                                                                         You crown me with lovingkindness and compassion;                                                       You satisfy my years with good things,                                                                                So that my youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

All praise, and honor, and glory be Yours Lord, today and every day, as we pause to give you thanks for our many blessings. Amen!

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Elton

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Last week I enjoyed an afternoon bike ride with my husband on a scenic rail trail in Pennsylvania. It was one of those October days in which the sun felt warm and the shade cool. Trees hinting yellow leaves lined both sides of the seemingly endless path, while the only sound was leaves crunching beneath bike tires.

Robert Frost’s well-known poem “The Road Not Taken” came to mind—“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood . . . .” The poet expresses coming to a juncture and pondering which path to take—knowing all too well that as he starts down one road, and way leads to way, it’s unlikely he will ever be back to travel the other.

He concludes:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

I thought about a crossroads time in my own life, in which I chose a path to follow, leaving a different one behind, never to know what might have been.

I pondered with thankfulness the hand of God on my life, the things He has seen me through, and the blessings that have come. I contemplated the choices I’ve made—even the ones once tinged with uncertainty or regret.

Sometimes it’s hard to decide which road to take. How do we know what’s right? What’s best? Where it will lead us?

Like Frost’s poem, the words of Scripture in Proverbs 3:5-6 are simple and colloquial, yet dense with meaning and significance.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

God simply asks us to trust Him, to seek Him, to stay in His presence.

As we journey through life, we will encounter pitfalls on the side of the road. A few steps off the path and we easily fall into ditches of self-pity, pride or despair.

But God asks that we keep our eyes on Him, seeking His will in all we do, and trusting Him in all things. He promises to always be with us. 

“ . . . let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”  (Hebrews 12:1-2) 

Seeking and staying close to the Lord, He protects us, as His words guide our feet and light our path.  

He shows us the way to go. He leads us beside peaceful streams. He renews our strength. He guides us along right paths. We need only ask, trust, and stay in His presence.

Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Elton

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