Last November 28 was for me the first day of Thanksgiving. It was a very moving experience. In Colombia, the country where I grew up, by education or kindness we are grateful, but we don’t have the tradition of dedicating a day to give thanks for all the blessings that God gives to our lives. For 10 years I worked as an assistant nurse and I always felt proud of my work. It was very satisfying to know that I could help and be a blessing in the life of another person. During my work I constantly heard the word thanks. So that became commonplace without much significance. What I mean is that many times the appreciation is just a word from the daily routine, a gesture of education when we receive or when it’s been said without seeing such great meaning and power of this word. Let’s look at something.

The word thanks in Spanish comes from the Latin “gratia”, which derives from “gratus” (nice, grateful), and origin is Latin gratia meaning honor or praise given to another, and then spell the favor and recognition of a favor. Gratus and gratia come from the Indo-European root “gwera” (praise aloud), “please” and “congratulate.”

The fact of living Thanksgiving, sharing with friends and their families made me reflect on all the blessings that God has given me and how much I have to be grateful. Now that I’m here at Singing Oaks I have met many people who have made a big difference in my life. Thanks for having me with open arms, thanks for your love and your support and so many things that you have done for me. You have made much easier my adaptation to your country, your culture and language.

Like many of you I had hard times. As a woman, one of my biggest dreams is to be a mother, but for those things in life a few months ago in February to be exact I had some health problems and after some tests I was diagnosed with poly-cystic ovarian syndrome. It was rough news, however, God has given me the grace to have a wonderful husband, who wisely has been my support and my strength many times and as you know we are expecting our first baby.

1 Thessalonians 5.18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. It teaches us through the Holy Spirit to be thankful in all things; however there are times when it is difficult to be grateful. We have many examples: when we lose a family member, when we receive bad news or when we have the answer that we don’t want, etc. I felt helpless and suffering with the news that the doctor had given me. I was sad and the last thing I thought about was to give thanks. Then my husband said in a firm voice, “Where is your trust in God”? In that moment is when I realized my mistake – my attitude was not right.

I give up my life and had forgotten the meaning of that fact, my life is not mine. I gave it to God. All that I have is by the grace of God. I remembered the words of Job, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” So now my way of life is different. I know I need to grow much spiritually, but I think the best way to thank God is to recognize and lovingly accept whatever he gives me. Someone asked me what are you going to ask God for the New Year, my answer is I have nothing to ask, but much to appreciate, give thanks and praise God.

Thank you Singing Oaks.