Thanksgiving

November 23, 2025

Photo by JillWellington on Pixabay

Thanksgiving is upon us, and all the sense memories that come with it. As I savor the colors, spices, and aromas of the season, I reflect on gratitude, giving, and grace. When I feed my soul, I find fullness of joy and strength for the day. 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

I’ve been reading a Unity booklet on gratitude this month, and found these words especially helpful: Gratitude is not limited to moments that align with our plans; it flourishes when we trust in Spirit’s higher plan, even when it disrupts our own. By affirming divine order, we shift from resistance to receptivity, allowing Spirit to work through us and for us” (Rev. Maggie Alderman).

In this season of feasting, the reality of food insecurity has been brought into the spotlight. I’ve been asking Spirit to work through me, showing me where and how to give. For those of us who always have enough to eat, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the other America. We may forget our shared humanity.

During the prolonged government shutdown, we learned that 42 million Americans rely on SNAP to feed their families. We saw a deliberate attempt by the administration to block funds that would keep the program going. In contrast was the generosity of our fellow Americans who stepped up to support hungry families. Those children and families are still going to need us as SNAP cuts take effect. 

Throughout this time, the privilege of sitting down to a good meal each night became crystal clear. In addition to giving thanks, we are called to move toward greater empathy, compassion, and generosity. This is how we connect to our shared humanity. 

Give and it shall be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over shall be poured into your lap (Luke 6:38).

This scripture is such a great reminder of how our giving opens the pipeline for us to also receive in abundance. This is a spiritual law; it’s how the universe works. With the cost of living rising considerably, I question how much I can give. It takes trust in God as the Source, and it's not always easy. 

I came across another great verse recently that bolstered my faith: 

The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a spring of water, whose waters never fail” (Isaiah 58:11). 

This is a comfort to me, since my bones don’t feel as strong as they used to, and the world looks like a parched place. I want the assurance of a living spring of water for all of us to drink and splash our faces and wash the tears from our eyes. Moreso, I want to be like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. 

This takes surrender, day after day, to the Spirit that nourishes and waters my soul. In the act of letting go, I become a vessel for Spirit. My anxieties and shortcomings are washed away, and I am filled up. When my own thirst is quenched by living water, I can quench another’s thirst. 

It’s been a hard year in so many ways, and Thanksgiving invites us to celebrate and savor the harvest, to gather and share the fruits of our labor. We are also invited to come into God’s presence for rest, renewal, and deep nourishment. Truly a time of gratitude, giving, and grace. 

Joyfully,

ej

Elisa J. Juarez