A Message From The Publisher
“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Genesis 8:22
By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
Westside Gazette Thanksgiving Editorial
This Thanksgiving, we at The Westside Gazette invite you to embrace gratitude in its fullest sense. Life’s blessings, though sometimes masked by trials, deserve recognition and thanks—not just on this holiday, but every day.
Thanksgiving may not be a Holy Day, but it’s a Holiday that reminds us to reflect on the good in our lives. The way we acknowledge our blessings shapes our perspective. When we choose gratitude, we transform every day into a Holy Day, an opportunity to honor life and its gifts.
Still, life is not without challenges. How do we find thankfulness in the face of foreclosures, sickness, death, or other hardships? It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, questioning the fairness of life’s burdens. Yet, giving up is not the answer. As Psalm 50:23 (CEV) reminds us, “The sacrifice that honors me is a thankful heart. Obey me, and I, your God, will show my power to save.”
Gratitude doesn’t erase
difficulties but offers us strength. By trusting in the Holy Word and leaning on faith, we can shift our perspective. Philippians 4:6 (NIV) teaches us to face life’s uncertainties with prayer and thanksgiving: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Every moment, like the changing seasons, has a purpose. Genesis 8:22 reminds us that the cycle of life is unchanging, ordained by God: “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” These words remind us that even in difficult times, there’s a season for healing and hope.
A member of our family was involved in a serious accident. The wreckage of the car left us shaken, but we found gratitude in the fact that both individuals involved survived. It’s strange how the thought of losing someone can amplify the love we feel for them. This experience reminded me that life is fragile, fleeting, and worth cherishing every single day.
The Thanksgiving holiday is wonderful, but one day is not enough to encompass the gratitude we should practice daily. It’s not just about the food or festivities—it’s about acknowledging the blessing of life itself. Each breath, each moment with loved ones, is a gift from God that deserves praise.
So, as we gather with family and friends, let us commit to a lifetime of Thanksgiving. Let this holiday serve as a starting point for daily gratitude, respect for one another, and prayers for strength and guidance. If we do nothing more this Thanksgiving but thank God for our lives and our loved ones, we’ll have begun to honor what Thanksgiving truly means.
From all of us at The Westside Gazette, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. May every moment remind you to be thankful for the gift of life.
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” – Psalms 100:4 (KJV)
Enjoy Thanksgiving and all the trimmings!
