“When can we start listening to Christmas music?” a student asked.
“After Thanksgiving and not a day before!” I barked. (Wow, don’t ask the teacher that question again.)
No holiday jumping in this house, people. (Although my husband would like to point out that I will demand a trip to the forest for a Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.)
But this is the season set aside to give thanks out loud, and I like that. We should be thankful as often as we breathe in and out, but it’s nice to lift the action of gratitude to an official position: “Oh, give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good” (1 Chronicles 16:34a).
Why I Love Following Jesus
He allows me to come to him in all of my stormy weather patterns.
He offers hope that I can and will become a better woman every day.
He’s awake in the night when my fears are huge monsters.
He loves me and proved it.
If I ask for encouragement, He gives it to me.
He has resurrected my father and my grandparents from the grave, and I will get to see them again.
He is a straight line when so much in my culture has gone crooked.
He kindly shows me when I’m doing something wrong and how to fix it.
He invites me to serve Him when we both know I’m unworthy.
He makes beautiful things like sunflowers, pumpkins and coffee beans.
OK, dear friends, add your own thankfulness in the comment section. Let me hear why you love following Jesus.
Janet Perez Eckles 
Shawn Akers 
Abby Trivett 
