With Thanksgiving

I have so many things to be thankful for this season - my family, my health, my treatments.  Of course, I'm thankful to be cancer free, but the most important "thing" I am thankful for is my faith.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" Ephesians 2:8

Our faith, a gift from God.

A gift from the Creator of the Universe.  Isn't that trippy?  That God desires to give us, humans, a gift.  And not just any gift.  Not something that will run out, expire, or lose it's value, but something that will forever alter the landscape of our lives.  A gift that will continue to inspire, cultivate, create, and give more than we can comprehend.  And the kicker is, this gift is available to anyone, will fit anyone, and when worn has the power to defeat the darkest caverns of our darkest addictions, banish unrelenting self-torment, and rescue us from ourselves.  How awesome is that?

Our faith, a gift from God, and it's free.  Free because of His desire to have relationship with us.  Free because He loved us enough to give us a way back to Him.  Free because of Jesus.

I hope this holiday season that while we are thankful for our families and the things we receive - may we set aside time to truly contemplate The Gift, given out of love and mercy, from a God that desires more than anything to have a conversation with the humans He created.  

And if you're reading this and aren't quite sure about all this "faith" stuff.  If it scares you, or if you don't believe in it; just let Him know.  Give Him a little time.  Unwrap the present before you chuck it.  Set aside any preconceived notions and hang out for a minute.  

Just you, God, and a simple conversation...