Gift-Transcendent Gratitude
by Tina Yeager
(1 John 2:15-18, NIV).
Autumn bleeds throughout my landscape. Select leaves sparkle among the crimson masses, enjoying a gilded rank in the fall light for a few weeks. Our trees invested time and sap to produce this temporary artwork. No matter the final position or shade, every leaf will fall. The forest’s sacrifices ultimately submit to their creator’s feet as they return to the dust.
This season of sacrifice culminates in a holiday of thanks. If the woods could wonder, might they question proclaiming gratitude right now?
My creative production endures a sacrificial cycle, too. I appreciate golden moments yet have come to recognize the brevity of each one. My writing career more often mirrors the crimson darkening the woods outside my window. Sacrifice of time, effort, and heart-sap often end without a moment to sparkle in the light. I relate to the autumn trees who produce some leaves in obscurity and others for acclaim. Like the annual foliage, all my highlighted and unrecognized results will pass away.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I wonder at my own motivation for gratitude. Am I thankful for this gift of writing? I confess my tendency to offer praise to my Creator for gilded outcomes and despise efforts that end in rusty obscurity. Autumn’s hues remind me of my Savior’s generous sacrifice. The crimson scene challenges me to prune my ambitions. I pray for the Spirit to sift my soul.
This holiday and throughout the year, I surrender the leaves of my creative work. I submit to the cycle of sacrifice. And this Thanksgiving, I want to offer gratitude like Christ. May my thankfulness transcend mere gifts or temporary outcomes. Let my soul prove grateful for WHO my Father is rather than WHAT happens before my eyes.
Rejoice with me. Together, may we bow at the feet of the Creator with gratitude this Thanksgiving.
Jesus, thank you for sacrificing all for us. May we bear your image as creatives and submit our lives and efforts to you with grateful hearts. Please help us to remain thankful during all seasons of our career. Let us praise and glorify you when seen and unseen. Amen.
Award-winning author, speaker, and life coach, Tina hosts the Flourish-Meant podcast a YouTube channel, and the Flourish Today radio show. She serves as membership director for Christian Women in Media Association, on the marketing team for STRUCK the Series Streaming TV show, and as Director of Traditional Groups with Word Weavers International. To connect with her, visit tinayeager.com.
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