Unconditional Thanksgiving

my beloved mother, age 8, 1928

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights." (Habakkuk 3:17-19)


In this faded school portrait, her downcast, eyes, simple homespun frock, and solemn expression paint the story of the day. Times were hard for Mother's family and myriads of others, but the days would become drastically harder as the Great Depression lurked around the corner. She recalled her classmates labeling her a poor, little white girl from the wrong side of the tracks.

           History records that prior to that first thanksgiving in 1623, many colonists died from disease and exposure to winter's bitter cold, and those who survived suffered greatly; yet they responded with a celebration of gratitude to God.

           Today, I'm soul searching a bit as I prepare our abundant Thanksgiving feast. Am I a fair-weather Christian or is my love and gratitude to God, the Father, and my Lord Jesus Christ unconditional?

Beloved, may Thanksgiving 2014 be filled with unconditional love and gratitude to God, the One who loved us enough to die for us!

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so..." (Psalm 107:1-2)

My beautiful mother, 
early 1940s during World War II -
yet another difficult season of life