[Onebrother] thoughts about Thanksgiving

[Inez Cobb]

Thanks so much Courtney, very good thoughts.  I know several people who
would be encouraged by this also. Is it ok to pass this along? David I
know you might have someone in mind as well. C. S. Lewis comes to mind.
God really sharpened him. Wondering if his parents where sharpened as
well.

>>> Courtney Robinson <courtney at midnighthour.org> 11/1/2011 11:36 AM
>>>
I was just reading an article about the first Thanksgiving.  The author
reflected on how much suffering the Pilgrims had been through and how
she and her children were reading some original documents from the time,
discovering that there was more to the first Thanksgiving than our
romanticized conception.  This made me think of our study and the hard
"grace" we talked about Sunday.  This author (Courtney Sanford) made the
application below about not feeling like we have to solve all our
children's problems:

Once we discover the truth, we will want to apply it to our own lives.
How can we cultivate the strength of character, hope, and thankfulness
that those original Pilgrims possessed? The Bible tells us in Romans
5:3-4 (NIV) “we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character,
hope.” I believe the hardships that the Pilgrims endured produced their
thankfulness. We can do our children a favor by not smoothing out all
their problems for them. Allowing them opportunities to be challenged,
or even to suffer something unpleasant, might produce some perseverance
and character in them, too.

It was comforting to me to be reminded that although I hate to see my
children suffer, I do not have to strive to give them a problem- free
life.  The afflictions they face may very well be the grace of God to
them, as mine are to me.  I long to see perseverance, character, and
hope in them.  If I really do long for these things, much of my anxiety
over their troubles is a waste of my mental and emotional energy.  

Just wanted to share that with ya'll!

Love,
Courtney


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