“Make us truly thankful.”

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. As people around the world celebrate a day of gratitude, I pause to reflect on the things I am grateful for, and what is to come. One of the things I often struggle with as a person with a disability, is finding moments of joy in the times when I am at my lowest.

I always tell people that I know things could be much worse. There are varying degrees of severity that come with Cerebral Palsy. They also come with a host of other medical issues. I know people who were born prematurely, like me, who struggle with worse health issues than I have.

I’m grateful to have parents who never gave up on me, even when I was at my lowest. I’m thankful that even though it’s a challenge for them, I can still live at home as I work toward my dreams.

There are days when my disability makes me question if there is anything to be grateful for, when pain grabs hold of my muscles and won’t let go. Or when I fall and have to spend time on the floor waiting for someone to help me.

Paul urged the church in Thessaloniki to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”(1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬) I think it’s also a great reminder for me, and for all believers, that we should remember what we’re blessed with.

Let’s talk: What are you thankful for? Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.