Giving Thanks To…

Posted By Michael Breznau on Nov 22, 2017

Dear Family and Friends,

From our family to yours… we thank God for each one of you. Your constant love, encouragement, and prayers are an ever-present source of joy to us.

Over the past twelve months of family and ministry life, you’ve journeyed alongside us as I (Michael) traveled for out-of-country missions work not once, but three times (to Mexico and India). Many of you physically and financially helped the five of us move from Michigan to North Carolina. You laughed with Stephanie and I as our kiddos cracked hilarious jokes. You rejoiced with us as God provided me with the ministry role of Staff Pastor for LifeChange Action. You prayed for gospel fruitfulness and, in turn, praised Christ with me as we saw several adults come to saving faith in Christ. For these and so many other reasons, we give thanks to God for you.

“Why do people think Thanksgiving is all about eating turkey, Papa?” Hudson remarked. Our inquisitive little man looked into my eyes with a concerned gaze as his giant bowl of oatmeal grew cold.

“Well Hudson, most people know the basic story of Thanksgiving Day as a piece of history. But, today, many don’t seem to think about why we celebrate this holiday and specifically to whom we are giving thanks.” I responded.

“Yeah, Papa… I know what Thanksgiving is all about. And it’s NOT about turkey!” Hudson declared with a professorial tone.

___________________________

For Christians, there is always a direct object to our praise and thanksgiving. God is the object to which all our thankfulness is directed because we recognize that all good things come from Him. James 1:27 reminds us:

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

So during this Thanksgiving weekend let’s not merely say “I’m thankful” but direct our thankfulness to the One from whom all good things flow. Here’s how the psalmist focused His thanks and praise toward God:

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary and gathered from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.” (Psalm 107:1-3)

This Thanksgiving, Stephanie and I are lifting up loud praise to God for our three beautiful, growing children: Hudson (8), Everlynn (5), and Carson (1). God is continually using them to teach and shape us in the grace of Christ. They explode with uncanny original thoughts and perspectives. And their zest for life sweeps across every room they enter. Here are our three little treasures: