• Home
  • Get Savannah’s Weekly Email!
  • Get to Know Savannah
  • Get Your Book Swag
  • My account
  • Cart
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Savannah Scott Romcom Author

The beauty of giving thanks in every thing

November 16, 2017 By Patty 4 Comments

16 Nov

It occurred to me the other day, as I looked forward to the week of Thanksgiving, that I am invited to give thanks in every thing. 

 

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God concerning you. ~ I Thes 5:18

The thought whammed me with its impact, causing me to swerve and come to a screeching mental halt.  I especially heard those last three words: in every thing.

GIVING THANKS EVEN IN THIS

We’re parenting full-throttle right now.  Our teen son requires all the skills I ever acquired, mastered, discarded or aspired to gain.  He’s under the influence of his hormones, society and his not-so-fully developed brain.  Some days I wonder how any of us will survive this season, let alone give thanks in it.

I tend to live life in a state I call “intentionally full.”  Sometimes that means I’m allowing too many yes answers to creep in, and I’d rather kid myself that I purposed to live that way.  On a good week, I maximize what I have to offer and my full schedule is well planned and productive. When a demanding season hits, I can be easily pushed into overload.

 

Staying full can lead to burnout rather than thankfulness

photo courtesy of thomas lefebvre

 

During difficult times, my life doesn’t appear to be a hotbed for gratitude. It’s more like the fertile soil for burnout.

Our loving God calls us to give thanks in every thing.  I know He’s not asking us to do the impossible. Instead, He is calling us towards what is best for each one of us, what will draw us nearer to Him. It is there, in His presence, giving thanks, that we are both humbled and strengthened.

YOUR LONGINGS WILL BE FILLED

The Greek word for thanks or thanksgiving is eucharisteō.  The word is the same word used to describe the practice of taking communion – the eucharist. 

The eucharist is thankfulness

photo courtesy of pexels.com

 

When God uses this word, He refers to the kind of thankfulness that is expressed right before a feast.  I’m not sure what images come to mind for you here, but I have a few.

I picture my boys and their friends when we have invited a gaggle to supper.  As I pull the food out of the oven, a hum of excited anticipation fills the room.  You can almost sense the salivation as they prepare to restrain themselves just a bit, when they really want to gobble up every morsel I lay on the table.  Boys are big eaters and a group of boys can devour a meal like a pack of wild animals.  Afterwards, they say, “Thank you, Mrs. Scott, that was delicious.”

Once, when a friend of my older son’s did a favor for me I texted him, “You know, Jon and I are always here for you if you need anything. Let me know what we can do for you.” Without hesitation he texted back, “some of those tacos you served the other night would be great.” The gratitude for a meal given is one thing – but it never surpasses the unspoken gratitude as they sit almost drooling in anticipation.

we give thanks before a meal

photo courtesy of christine siracusa

THANKFULNESS FUELED BY PROMISE

There is a hunger that accompanies that pre-feast gratitude.  

Knowing my need – my longing – I take comfort.  It will be well filled.

This is eucharisteō.  Eucharisteō looks beyond the emptiness and the burn out. It says with confidence, what I need will be provided and it will come in lavish abundance.  When our hearts are certain of this filling, we can live giving thanks in every thing.

THANKFUL LIKE JESUS

The other image that comes to mind when I picture eucharisteo is Jesus at the last supper.   Jesus gave thanks.  Betrayal loomed before him.  He took the bread and then took the cup and He gave thanks.  He was facing a night of agony including a mob arresting him, an unfair trial, rejection by his closest earthly friends and ultimately the cross, where God turned His back on him.  Looking beyond those agonies, Jesus gave thanks.

WHAT EUCHARISTEO IS NOT

Though we give thanks through our trials,  God doesn’t call us to push down reality.   He doesn’t ask us to paint on a happy face and carry on as though we aren’t experiencing hardship.  God lives in reality.  He not only chose to undergo sorrow, He exhorts us to be aware that we will endure trials as well.  He says, “In this world you will suffer, but take heart.  I have overcome the world.”.

Jesus wept.  If He shed tears, we know we will also weep.  Our thanksgiving is not a rejection of the feelings which accompany difficulty.  We experience sadness, grief, even dark grey days where the oppressive weight of our circumstances seems too heavy to bear.

We give thanks and feel the sadness simultaneously

photo courtesy of pexels.com

 

Through our discouragement and sadness, we can engage in eucharisteō – the thankfulness that precedes a feast.

Knowing the hunger we are experiencing will be filled enables us to give thanks through our pain.  We don’t deny the pangs of life’s hurtful circumstances.  Thanksgiving isn’t Pollyanna denial of any painful reality.

THE BEAUTY OF THANKSGIVING

We look forward to the holiday of thanksgiving.  Usually we gather with friends and family, bringing favorite dishes to share.  We anticipate the tradition of stuffing ourselves with goodness.  We pause from all the hub-bub of life to set aside a time for gratitude and remembrance.

A feast awaits us as we give thanks

photo courtesy of pexels.com

 

The practice of giving thanks is always beautiful.  We don’t need to wait for a holiday to pause, gather ourselves up and make a tradition of counting our blessings.  Something transformative happens when we turn our eyes from whatever burdens us to all our blessings.

God wills us to give thanks in all things – not so we can march along, oblivious to the pain and hardship of life – but so we can gain strength to endure and a hope beyond the hurt.  Give thanks, then.  Do it this week, when we formally set aside a holiday.  Do it in the quiet of your heart at all times; looking up and over whatever is going on around you; looking forward to the feast to come; knowing the longings you have will be filled – even stuffed.


Want more goodness from PattyHScott.com?  Subscribe to the Monthly Newsletter!  You will get extra content I don’t share here on the blog.  I pinky promise not to spam your inbox with meaningless clutter! 


If you want to learn more about my availability to come speak to your group, you can hear a clip of me speaking or feel free to visit my page at Christian Women Speakers.  

Share
Pin
Tweet
Share

Filed Under: Spiritual Growth

About Patty

I write to encourage your heart, feed your soul, and give you wisdom for your life. Motherhood is my passion. I've been married to my surfer/skater husband for over 20 years.  We have two boys and a home full of neighbor kids most days.

« What to do when you are on the verge of a mommy meltdown
When You Have to Be the First to Say “I’m Sorry” »

Comments

  1. Tammie says

    November 20, 2017 at 12:58 PM

    So true that He does not mean for us to paint on a happy face during trials – but that we can be thankful knowing that even this was allowed through the loving hand of God.

    Reply
    • Patty says

      November 20, 2017 at 3:42 PM

      Thank you, Tammie. I so appreciate you affirming that good wisdom. Sometimes we hear that we need to be “joyful” and that can translate into denying the real emotions that accompany living life. I love that you shared a trusting perspective. We can be sure He allows difficulties through love and care and He is with us in them. I hope you come back again and find encouragement here.

      Reply
  2. Barbie says

    November 21, 2017 at 7:01 PM

    Such a timely post for me. I’m working through a lot and reaching for gratitude every day. Blessings!

    Reply
  3. Patty says

    November 21, 2017 at 10:37 PM

    Barbie, I am always so glad to hear from you. It is a reach sometimes, isn’t it? I’m blessed to know that this was timely for you. Saying a prayer for your heart and circumstances right now.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi, I’m Savannah …

I’m a Zumba dancing, coffee sipping, road tripping girl and I love writing closed-door romcom!

My stories make you laugh, smile, and sometimes keep you up past your bedtime chanting the famous reader mantra, “just one more chapter.”

I hope you find your next sweet escape in one of my books.

You can read more about me on my “Get to Know Savannah” page.

I love hearing from you! Sign up for my weekly email, join my reader group on Facebook, or follow me on Instagram so we can connect more often.

Want to talk books, books, books?

I'd love to bless you with my weekly sweet reader email!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

I’d love to connect with you on Social Media …

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Ahhhh … enemies to more. 🔥 The banter is so f Ahhhh … enemies to more. 🔥
The banter is so fun!

Chris and Ella Mae start out getting on one another’s nerves … then, due to completely unexpected circumstances, they end up fake dating … and then they drive one another crazy in a whole different sense of the phrase 😉🥰

Ripped & Shipped comes out early May. I’m about 🤏 close to finishing it and sending it to my editor.

ARC Team sign ups will be coming for ebooks on Saturday (Apr 1). Paperback team is already selected and will be getting a welcome email by this weekend. 

We are going to have so much fun launching this book! I can’t even tell you the feelings I have … wrapping up this first Bordeaux series, writing this story that’s full of heart, and laughs, and kisses that make you grab a glass of ice water and fan yourself. 🔥😘🧊💦🫠

I’m so grateful you’re along for the ride. There aren’t words for the sweetness of sharing the Getting Shipped series with you. 💕

(And I’ve been loosely plotting the next series and getting excited as I start writing the Love Trippin’ books.) 💕

Do you love enemies to lovers?
Fake dating? 
Let me know … 

#wipwednesday #workinprogress #amwritingromance #amwritingromcom
#romcombooks #sweetromcom #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom
#savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio #bordeauxohioforever #newrelease #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #lovestories #rippedandshipped #chellamaebae #rippedandshippedbook #bookstagrammers #bookstagram #romcom #romancereadersofinstagram #romcomreadersofinstagram #bookexcerpt #shippers #Imashipper #Smalltownromance #ohiolove #smalltownromancebooks
Okay. So. Yes, we are still waiting for Ripped & Okay. So. 
Yes, we are still waiting for Ripped & Shipped to come out and be in your happy little hands on May 1st. 

But, authors are always (usually) a book ahead of the readers. 

And, this time, I’m a whole series ahead. 

I’m thinking about “Are We There Yet?” It’s the first book in the Love Trippin’ series. 

Four people from Bordeaux (yes!!) are traveling to California where the next series takes place. 

This first book takes place over a road trip (after a few chapters in Bordeaux, and before the later chapters in Cali).

So, I want to plan this road trip!
Im a road-tripper, and I grew up spending summers traveling from state to state with my family. 

I know my road trip stories. 
I want to hear YOURS! 
Leave it in the comments or DM me. 🚗🌳🚧🏔️

I’m not going to use your exact story, of course. But, if your story inspires something in the book, I’ll send you a free sticker and bookmark when “Are We There Yet” releases this summer. 

I’m so excited to share this new series with you!

#lovetrippin #lovetrippinseries #savannahscottauthor #savannahscott #romcombooks #sweetromcom #sweetromance #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom #romcombooksaremyweakness #romcomreadersofinstagram #romancereadersofinstagram #bookstagram #roadtrippin #roadtripromance #roadtrippin #arewethereyet #arewethereyetbook
Writing retreat A few days on the central coast. Writing retreat 

A few days on the central coast. 

Views. 
Good food. 
Sweet conversation 
Getting so close to finishing Ripped & Shipped. 

Dreaming about the next series. 
Thinking about how to bless moms and women 

#writingretreat #amwriting #amwritingromance #amwritingromcom #romcomauthor #romcomreadersofinstagram #romancereadersofinstagram #bookstagram #sweetromcom #closeddoorromcom #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #cambriacalifornia #centralcoast #slocounty #moonstonebeach
Would the Rob & Laura fans raise your hands? 🙋🏼‍♀️

My husband and I are listening to the audiobook of Battleshipped together right now. It takes us forever because: life. But, it’s been fun to revisit their story. 

If you love a slightly geeky leading man, a strong female lead with a loyal heart and a persevering spirit, Battleshipped is for you. 

If you love second chance romcom with a dash of enemies to more, Battleshipped has all the “working hard to win her heart back” vibes. 

If you love laughing out loud until people look at you funny while you read. Yeah. There are those scenes. 

If you love a found-family friend group, and a quirky small town that will win your heart, come to Bordeaux. 

QOTD: Do you love when a brainy male lead becomes your book boyfriend? Which brainy male characters have stolen your heart? 

#battleshipped #battleshippedbook #bookexcerpt #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #smalltownromancebooks #sweetromcom #closeddoorromcom #secondchanceromance #goatsgoatsgoats #bordeauxohio #bookboyfriend #romancereadersofinstagram #romcomreadersofinstagram #ohiolove #bookstagram #bookstagrammers
Is it Wednesday? Um no. No it is not. But, do y Is it Wednesday? 
Um no. No it is not. 

But, do you still want this #WIPWednesday teaser from Ripped & Shipped? Why yes, yes you do. 

I’ll tell y’all. This book is coming along. And it is scrum-diddly-umptious. 

We’re talking banterrrrrr!
And all the swoony enemy vibes. 

And then they start faking! 
What? yasssss. They fake. The enemies start to fake a romance. 

Then … a completely unexpected and sweeeet friendship develops. 

But, ruh-roh. One of them catches feelings (just quoting Duke here). 

And it gets so HOT ( in a very closed-door way) and so HEARTFELT. 

This story is special. It’s the last in Bordeaux. So I’m pouring it all out into this book. 

You’ve got Memaw, Esther, and Mabel. 
The Bordeaux friend group. 
Lulabelle 
Ella Mae
Cooter
And so much more. 

I’m not kidding when I say this may be my fave in series. 

And you know what it means when I say I’m about 3/4 done writing? Yep. I just might release this story in May … ARC Team wannabes, lace up your running shoes. I’ll be posting opportunities to join the few open spots the first week of April. ❤️

Wait til you see the cover, too. Gah. I love it!! 

#rippedandshipped #workinprogress #amwriting
#amwritingromance #amwritingromcom
#romcombooks #sweetromance #sweetromcom
#closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom
#savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio
#bordeauxohioforever #bookcoverdesign #newrelease
#ilovemyreaders #gettingshipped
#gettingshippedseries #lovestories
#chellamaebae #comehomeellamae
#rippedandshippedbook #bookstagrammers
#bookstagram #romancereadersofinstagram
#romcomreadersofinstagram #bookexcerpt
Heyyyyy ARC Team! If you were on the ARC team fo Heyyyyy ARC Team! 

If you were on the ARC team for Cruiseshipped, our exclusive ARC Team only book chat is coming!

Tomorrow (Thursday March 23) at 5p PT we’ll be gathering on zoom to talk about Cruiseshipped. 

I’m so grateful to each one of you for reading, sharing, and reviewing Cruiseshipped. ❤️ 

So … mark your calendars and set your alarms (and a countdown is in my stories!) and let’s talk all things Brooks + Gabby ❤️🚢💃🏻

#cruiseshipped #cruiseshippedbook #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #arcteamperks #bookchat #buddyread #ilovemyreaders #authorchat
Well, I’m back with another #mememonday and this Well, I’m back with another #mememonday and this one is featuring one of my favorite movies EVER: The Princess Bride!

Which slide do you like best? 

And … aside from posting here today, I’m writing! Ripped & Shipped (Chris’ story) is halfway done! 

I’m on a roll now, and my family is going to an amusement park for the day (without me), so I’m alone with Bella and my laptop. 

Then, this weekend, I’ve got a writing retreat. The final book in the Getting Shipped series is going to be written! 

Not saying we won’t have some novellas down the road … mayyyybe we could. (Who would you want to see in a Getting Shipped novella?)

I hope your Monday is GREAT!!

#bookmemes #bookishmemes #princessbride #asyouwish #amwriting #amwritingromcom #romcomauthor #sweetromcom #closeddoorromcom #romancereadersofinstagram #romcomreadersofinstagram #savannahscottauthor #gettingshipped #rippedandshipped #gettingshippedseries
#mawwage #bookstagram #bookstagrammers #bookishcommunity
Follow on Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 · Patty H. Scott · All Rights Reserved

Temporarily, it is necessary to create an account to be able to check out in the Swag Shop. You can register under the “My Accounts” page. Thank you! Dismiss