Thanksgiving

"There's a peace I've come to know
though my heart and flesh may fail.
There's an Anchor for my soul
I can say, 'It is well.'
Jesus has overcome..."

I awoke in the wee hours of the morning, grateful for this song playing in my heart.  Yesterday's holiday brought a wave of nostalgia which was harder than usual to bear.  It has been seven years since we left all that was precious and familiar, our home and family in Graham...and answered God's call to 'come out.' (Revelation 18:4)

A confused, jet-lagged Magnolia

Our first ferry crossing to Orkney

Our first walk at Newark Beach

Thanksgiving at Little Halley, 2016

Thanksgiving has long been my favorite holiday, a time for enjoying time with family...and for giving gratitude its proper place.  We managed to maintain our traditions in Orkney, celebrating with new friends and even family (when possible).



I am struggling a bit this year though. The plandemic has brought a fearful paralysis to our Highland village.  Few of our new neighbors are willing to step foot into our home.  We are once again, 'strangers' in a foreign land. Thankfully our specially ordered turkey arrived yesterday, so we look forward to celebrating  Thanksgiving here at Walled Garden  with Kate and family tomorrow (no work/no school on Saturday).

Who dreamed that 2021 would find us torn between two worlds - the familiar, comfortable world we have known and loved - and the bewildering, dystopian reality which tightens its grip with each passing day?  Our temporal future is characterized by uncertainty.  Each day presents a new battle to keep our feet firmly planted on the Rock while our circumstances swirl around us like shifting sand.  So many questions remain unanswered!  Are we to remain in Scotland?  If not, where, Lord?  What is YOUR will, Lord? 

---

"When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My Anchor holds within the veil

Christ alone, Cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Savior's love
Through the storm He is Lord, Lord of all."

I am happy?  No, not really.  Thankful?  Absolutely.

"For this light and momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Soli Deo Gloria.

(Song Credits:  "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin, "Cornerstone" by Hillsong)