Letters to Myself: In Everything Give Thanks

Those who read the last newsletter from The Remnant know that I am starting a new series! This series will be letters to myself (as the name implies LOL), reminding myself of truths that are hard to believe. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I've decided to kick off this series with a reminder about keeping gratitude to God in the forefront of my heart and mind.

I hope it encourages you as well. Happy Thanksgiving! 🍂

Dear Olivia,

The purpose of this letter is not to lecture you, since I know that may not get my point across as effectively as I wish. Rather, I want to gently encourage you, to remind you of a powerful truth you already know but sometimes have trouble holding onto.

There are so many things to look forward to and anticipate at this stage of your life. University, buying a car, starting your career. Yet there are also many things you know are lacking in your life. Maybe a bigger bookshelf to house your newest “I shouldn’t be buying more books but just one more because I can’t pass up this deal!” books. Is it the ability to focus on something for ten minutes without getting distracted by the seemingly endless stream of noisy, clamouring thoughts in your mind?

Or maybe it’s funds for university, the car you wish you drove yourself to work in, or a friendship you wouldn’t keep at arms length for fear of getting too close.

Too much? Sorry. Stop tearing up, Olivia. *hands you a smoothie*

Close your eyes for a moment. Turn off the music and put down the book.

Think with me to October of last year. Where were you? What prayers were you praying then? What things were pressing on your heart and mind?

Remember them? Alright.

Now think about where you are today: October of 2026. How many of the prayers you prayed a year ago are you living right now?

How many situations in the past year have proved God’s faithfulness and love to you, even when you deserved none of it?

How many moments can you look back on and say, “Thank You, God, for letting me go through that!”?

How many blessings in your life today can you say, “Thank You, Jesus!” for?

Olivia, there will always be opportunities to focus on what you lack. Yet, dwelling on such thoughts will rarely ever make you happier. In fact, it will make you more anxious, doubtful, and depressed. Focusing on what you don’t have opens the door for comparison which will steal your joy and demolish gratitude.

Instead, choose to focus on what the Lord has blessed you with, and rejoice in His unending love and faithfulness to you. Meditate upon His promise that even if you don’t have everything you want right now, He will provide what you need (Philippians 4:19).

So, you think you don’t have much right now? You’re depressed and anxious about what you don’t have?

Honey, if your younger self could see you now, she would be amazed. She would probably burst into tears and a praise of “Thank You, Lord, for Your incredible goodness!”

You’ve come a long way in your relatively short lifetime, and you still have a long way to go. I encourage you to choose to praise God for how far He has carried you and how much He has provided for you rather than allowing the unanswered prayers and unopened doors to discourage you.

This time next year, I guarantee that you will look back and see God’s hand in every detail of your life, even if you can’t see it now.

Lift up a song of thanksgiving to your heavenly Father. You can never thank Him too much for all He has done.

-Olivia

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Happy Thanksgiving, Remnant! Check out the Thanksgiving playlist on Spotify I made just for you this holiday to remind you of all the Lord has done for us.

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