{"id":104526,"date":"2021-01-04T09:11:54","date_gmt":"2021-01-04T16:11:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/?p=104526"},"modified":"2021-01-04T09:11:54","modified_gmt":"2021-01-04T16:11:54","slug":"10-things-to-give-thanks-for-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/articles\/topics\/holidays\/featured-holidays\/other-holidays\/10-things-to-give-thanks-for-this-year\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Things To Give Thanks for This Year"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

Life is plain old hard right now. Cultural and worldly matters aside, I recently moved to a new state, only multiplying the uncertainties and nebulousness of the past year. I need to find a new church, new friends, new places to serve, and get plugged into. It’s been hard to give thanks this year.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve noticed the changes and turmoil of life tempt my thankful heart to turn into a Shrinky Dink. Not that it\u2019s entirely absent, it just doesn\u2019t come as fluidly as I\u2019d like. You, too?<\/p>\n

During the holiday season, we\u2019re expected to give. Give money \u2026 gifts \u2026 time. But did we give thanks, too, as we ought?<\/p>\n

We\u2019re called to \u201cgive thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,\u201d (1 Thessalonians 5:18). But let\u2019s be real: even when our world isn\u2019t topsy-turvy, we aren\u2019t quick to say \u201cthanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

What can you give thanks for this year?<\/h2>\n

The pandemic has changed many things, but not our call to give thanks. Looking back, there are many things to thank God for, despite the losses we\u2019ve carried. Consider this list of unexpected things I\u2019ve become thankful for in the new year<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What can you add to it?<\/p>\n

1. The reach online sermons have allowed.<\/h3>\n

My previous church recently announced that the current class of new members is the largest they\u2019ve ever seen. Incredibly, through watching the service online, our numbers of committed church partners have grown.<\/p>\n

Another church I know of shared their giving has gone up. These are merely two local stories of how God is using the pandemic to expand His Kingdom. We can definitely give thanks for that.<\/p>\n

2. Deeper appreciation for a hug.<\/h3>\n

I went the first two months of the quarantine without a hug. The first time I gave in and nodded my approval to let a friend hug me, it was sheer bliss. We were designed to need physical touch, some of us more than others. Now when someone implies they\u2019re accepting hugs, I don\u2019t take it lightly.<\/p>\n

3. Cooking more often.<\/h3>\n

I know I\u2019m not the only one\u2019s who\u2019s cooking repertoire has flourished this year. My housemate bought me a recipe box to house her family recipes we’ve made. Having more time to spend in the kitchen has expanded my interest in cooking new things. I\u2019m thankful God provided the time and the space to grow this skill.<\/p>\n

4. More time with family.<\/h3>\n

Would your family have seen each other as much had the pandemic not forced it upon you? Maybe you\u2019re laughing at me, \u201cNo. And I wouldn\u2019t be complaining about it!\u201d But would you know what\u2019s going on in your spouse’s or child’s world as much as you do if your proximity hadn\u2019t been this confined?<\/p>\n

As a single woman living in a different state than my biological family, \u201cmore time with my family\u201d in a traditional sense hasn\u2019t been true for me. And yet God provided a way through it all for me to work remotely from my parents\u2019 home for a number of weeks. I give thanks for the welcome and unexpected bonus!<\/p>\n

5. Increased awareness of people\u2019s need for Christ<\/h3>\n

Because of the struggles of this year, we\u2019re hearing numerous stories of people seeking spiritual help online. I stumbled upon a Christianity Today article<\/a> which shared the rising numbers Christian organizations are watching in their online ministries.<\/p>\n

Dark times historically draw people to God and to His salvation, and COVID-19 is no exception. We should thank God for using this darkness for His glory.<\/p>\n

Receive more encouraging content like this delivered to your inbox!<\/i><\/span> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>\n

6. Less extracurriculars distracting from time together.<\/h3>\n

When our schedule slates were wiped clean at the forefront of the pandemic, we were given a gift. We were freed to evaluate: Do I want to keep up the \u201cI\u2019m never home\u201d schedule?<\/a><\/p>\n

I\u2019m thankful for the reset. I needed to reevaluate the difference between what God<\/em> wanted me to say \u201cyes\u201d to and what I<\/em> wanted to say \u201cyes\u201d to.<\/p>\n

7. Increased awareness of our need for community.<\/h3>\n

We\u2019re not all \u201cpeople\u201d people. Some of us are satisfied with one, maybe two, solid friendships. Others thrive surrounded by friends. Regardless of the end of the spectrum you land on, we\u2019ve all experienced drought in community.<\/p>\n

And we all have a new appreciation of being with people. Now, we don’t take it for granted when we\u2019re together with others. For those of us who already valued community, that value is only heightened.<\/p>\n

8. The blessing of having a job.<\/h3>\n

I say this acknowledging that many have lost jobs.<\/a> A number of my friends experienced part-time furloughs or full-time layoffs due to the stretched economy. I also have friends overloaded with multiple jobs layered upon their existing work due to the same reason.<\/p>\n

As someone who hasn\u2019t lost work hours, I\u2019m more thankful than ever to still hold my job. Whichever situation you land in, this season has made us thankful to have a job when we have it, and appreciate it all the more when it\u2019s returned to us.<\/p>\n

9. Saving money from limited shopping options.<\/h3>\n

I\u2019m not much of an online shopper. I have to try it on or see it in person to truly be tempted. Because of this, my wallet has seen a shift for the better! Instead, most weekends have entailed a movie at home and extra time for projects.<\/p>\n

While of course I\u2019d prefer the freedom to get out more, I\u2019m thankful for the diminished temptation to spend.<\/p>\n

10. More interaction with your neighbors and opportunities for ministry.<\/h3>\n

I\u2019ll confess: I could grow in the area of neighbor interactions.<\/a> However, I\u2019ve certainly waved more often to fellow walkers and across the street when neighbors pull into the driveway. Stories of friends inviting neighbors to their driveway for a bonfire and reading Bible stories to the kids encourage me.<\/p>\n

A few weeks ago, my own grandma was chatting with her next-door neighbor. By the end of their conversation, they decided to meet every Monday for Bible study. Another thing we can give thanks for this year? That it has opened the door for uncountable ministry opportunities, both online and in person.<\/p>\n

What unexpected things have come of 2020 that you can give thanks for this season? How could your prayer life change in the new year if you remember all God has done for you to give thanks for this year?<\/p>\n

\n

Copyright \u00a9 2020 by FamilyLife. All rights reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n

Lauren Miller serves on staff with FamilyLife as a writer in Orlando, Florida, though she\u2019ll always be a California girl. She graduated from Biola University and the Torrey Honors College where the Lord first planted in her a love for family and marriage ministry. As a single, she loves serving the youth at her church, watching British dramas, and reading a good book in her free time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re called to \u201cgive thanks in all circumstances\u2026\u201d But with its challenges, it can be hard to name things to give thanks for this year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":349,"featured_media":104651,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"We\u2019re called to \u201cgive thanks in all circumstances\u2026\u201d But with its challenges, it can be hard to name things to give thanks for this year.","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2911],"tags":[],"equip-category":[],"cwp_profile":[3191],"class_list":["post-104526","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-other-holidays","cwp_profile-lauren-miller"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2020\/12\/10-things-to-give-thanks-for-this-year_1040x326.jpg","spectra_custom_meta":{"_edit_last":["89"],"_wp_page_template":["default"],"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":["give thanks for this year"],"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":["We\u2019re called to \u201cgive thanks in all circumstances\u2026\u201d But with its challenges, it can be hard to name things to give thanks for this year."],"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":["75"],"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":["90"],"_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":["[]"],"_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":["[\"thanks\"]"],"show_recent_3_posts":["0"],"_show_recent_3_posts":["field_5e5fe8fd0a35f"],"show_recent_3_podcasts":["0"],"_show_recent_3_podcasts":["field_5e5fe84cb04cb"],"alt_author":["a:1:{i:0;s:5:\"14416\";}"],"_alt_author":["field_5ac3df572642e"],"override_header":["0"],"_override_header":["field_5d9f5b011a6e0"],"header_post_type":["elementor_library"],"_header_post_type":["field_5d9f5ba898919"],"tracking_scripts":[""],"_tracking_scripts":["field_5db1a558c0a94"],"make_background_white":["0"],"_make_background_white":["field_5db1f6f6896fd"],"disable_top_header":["0"],"_disable_top_header":["field_5db74a47df831"],"override_footer_widgets":["0"],"_override_footer_widgets":["field_5e134c9512191"],"footer_widgets_post_type":["elementor_library"],"_footer_widgets_post_type":["field_5e0ef0bb482f3"],"header_sticky_on_mobile":["0"],"_header_sticky_on_mobile":["field_5e18a11219bac"],"show_locations_button_in_header":["0"],"_show_locations_button_in_header":["field_5e1cb1cabaad1"],"hide_social_media_buttons":["0"],"_hide_social_media_buttons":["field_5e1e3036c5657"],"signup_redirect":[""],"_signup_redirect":["field_5e74d18689717"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":["143"],"_oasis_task_priority":["2normal"],"_oasis_is_in_workflow":["0"],"_thumbnail_id":["104651"],"selected_related_posts":["a:3:{i:0;s:5:\"93842\";i:1;s:5:\"47841\";i:2;s:5:\"20972\";}"],"_selected_related_posts":["field_5e5fe92b0a360"],"selected_related_podcast":["a:3:{i:0;s:5:\"80793\";i:1;s:6:\"100253\";i:2;s:5:\"93909\";}"],"_selected_related_podcast":["field_5e5fe887b04cc"],"video_embed_code":[""],"_video_embed_code":["field_61a661f3ff0af"],"_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":["6"],"_eael_post_view_count":["498"],"_eb_reusable_block_ids":["a:0:{}"],"_seopress_titles_desc":["We\u2019re called to \u201cgive thanks in all circumstances\u2026\u201d But with its challenges, it can be hard to name things to give thanks for this year."],"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":["give thanks for this year"],"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":["none"],"_uag_css_file_name":["uag-css-104526.css"],"_uag_js_file_name":["uag-js-104526.js"]},"meta_box":{"_cloudsearch_visibility":"","profile_obj_manual_select":false,"profile_obj":false,"separator":false,"enable_link":false,"login_restricted":"","content_type":"","disclaimer_banner":"","currency":false,"pricing_subtext":false,"element_type":false,"date_field":false,"date_format":false,"theme_header_position":"","post_header_is_sticky":"","is_header_overlay":"","series":false,"ignore_sticky":false,"conditional_blocks_category":false,"cta_selection":false},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2020\/12\/10-things-to-give-thanks-for-this-year_1040x326.jpg",1024,321,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Lisa","author_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/author\/llakeyfamilylife-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"We\u2019re called to \u201cgive thanks in all circumstances\u2026\u201d But with its challenges, it can be hard to name things to give thanks for this year.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104526","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/349"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104526"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104526\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/104651"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104526"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=104526"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=104526"},{"taxonomy":"equip-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/equip-category?post=104526"},{"taxonomy":"cwp_profile","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cwp_profile?post=104526"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}