Pastor’s Corner – November 2026
“Giving Thanks Anyway”
November has a way of arriving with a change in the air. The leaves have mostly finished their annual performance, the daylight slips away a little earlier each evening, and many of us begin looking toward Thanksgiving tables, family gatherings, and pumpkin pie. Some of us are excited about that. Others are already wondering how many political conversations they can politely avoid before dessert.
Thankfulness comes naturally when life is going well. It’s easy to give thanks when the bills are paid, our health is strong, our family relationships are peaceful, and our favorite football team is winning. (For some of us, that last category requires a particularly robust prayer life.)
But Scripture calls us to something deeper than situational gratitude.
The Apostle Paul writes:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NRSV)
Notice Paul doesn’t say for all circumstances. He says in all circumstances.
There are situations in life that are not good, and we do not pretend otherwise. The loss of a loved one, a troubling diagnosis, family conflict, loneliness, disappointment, and grief are real. God never asks us to deny our pain or put on a fake smile. Instead, God invites us to recognize that even in the hardest moments, God’s presence remains constant.
Christian gratitude is not based on circumstances. It is based on the character of God.
We can be thankful because God is faithful when life is uncertain.
We can be thankful because Christ walks with us through the valleys and not merely on the mountaintops.
We can be thankful because the Holy Spirit continues to work in us even when we cannot see the outcome.
One of the great theological truths of our faith is that God’s grace is always preceding us, accompanying us, and drawing us forward. Long before we knew we needed God, God was already at work. Long after we run out of strength, God continues carrying us.
That doesn’t mean every day is easy. Some mornings my prayers are eloquent and inspiring. Other mornings they’re closer to, “Lord, help me find my coffee before I say something unholy.” Thankfully, God’s grace covers both kinds of prayers.
As we move through this month of gratitude, I encourage us to think beyond thanksgiving as a holiday and embrace thankfulness as a spiritual practice. Gratitude changes the way we see the world. It trains our hearts to recognize God’s fingerprints in ordinary moments: a conversation with a friend, a meal shared with family, a hymn sung together, a warm handshake on Sunday morning, or the simple gift of another day.
A Challenge for November
I would like to challenge each member of our congregation to keep a “Thankfulness List” throughout the month.
Each day, write down three things for which you are grateful.
They do not need to be dramatic or extraordinary. Some days your list may include a beautiful sunset. Other days it may simply say, “The furnace worked,” and honestly, that counts.
At the end of the month, take a few minutes to review your list and notice how often God was present in ways you might have otherwise overlooked.
And then take one additional step: share your gratitude with someone else. Write a note, make a phone call, or offer a word of encouragement. Gratitude grows when it is shared.
A Prayer for Thanksgiving
Gracious and loving God,
We thank You for Your many blessings, both seen and unseen. In seasons of abundance and in seasons of struggle, remind us that You are always near.
Teach us to trust Your goodness when life is difficult and to remember Your faithfulness when uncertainty surrounds us. Open our eyes to recognize Your grace in everyday moments and fill our hearts with genuine gratitude.
Bless our church family, our community, and all those who are carrying heavy burdens. May we become people who reflect Your love, extend Your mercy, and share Your hope with others.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray.
Amen.
May God’s peace and joy be with you throughout this season of thanksgiving. I am grateful for each of you and for the privilege of serving alongside you at Westville United Methodist Church. Let us continue encouraging one another, worshiping faithfully, and giving thanks in all circumstances.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Toby
