Broken Thanksgiving

I’m not gonna lie, Thanksgiving hasn’t always been my favorite.

In the years when I was my own favorite subject, this holiday seemed to bring out all kinds of crazy in me as it seemed to shine a big, bright spotlight on to what I didn’t have.  I didn’t have enough money in the bank and I didn’t live near my family at the beach. My friends felt few and far between.  I didn’t have a husband and I didn’t have children.  I rarely felt thankful.

I would come to be with family and would end up tainting the spirit of the day.  I’d sulk as I ‘d help peel potatoes, chop celery, wash dishes, polish the remaining silver.  “Meh” was written all over my face when a family member would share about a pregnancy, a job promotion, or a new boyfriend.  The smallest of things would get to me.  All it would take would be a tone, a look.. and you’d think the media should be alerted.

But then.

One day, the worst and the best happened.  I put down the glass and picked up a new life.

Broken pieces were gradually put back together again as I began to see the world didn’t revolve around me.  Ugliness was replaced with beauty as my lens began to refocus off of myself and on to others.  I learned the benefits of consciously and intentionally loving people through my actions.  With practice, I adopted a thankful attitude and began to see how celebrating others in turn only served to celebrate me.  Oh, it didn’t come all at once, but with a strong mentor and arrows from the Spirit, I began to experience a calm I’d never known before.  I thanked God out loud for His goodness and at long last, I discovered peace.

Give thanks to God – He is good and His love never quits.  ~1 Chronicles 16:34

And now, I can’t stop saying it: God is good.  To say it out loud reinforces my belief that it is true: God is good.  No matter what might hit… God is still good.

With my love and my sadness
I come before You Lord
My heart’s in a thousand pieces
Maybe even more
Yet I trust in this moment
You’re with me somehow
And You’ve always been faithful
So Lord even now

When all that I can sing
Is a broken hallelujah
When my only offering
Is shattered praise
Still a song of adoration
Will rise up from these ruins
I will worship You and give You thanks
Even when my only praise
Is a broken hallelujah

Performed by Mandisa
Written by Gina C. Boe, Tony Wood, Ronnie C. Freeman, Jr. 

Sylvia Lange is a Christian women’s speaker, independent music artist, blogger, and teacher. To see more of her blogs, visit here.  

69 thoughts on “Broken Thanksgiving”

  1. I happen to be writing to let you know of the perfect experience my wife’s girl found reading through the blog. She discovered too many details, most notably what it is like to have a great coaching style to have others completely comprehend various grueling topics. You truly did more than our own expectations. I appreciate you for presenting those powerful, trusted, explanatory and also fun tips on the topic to Sandra.

  2. I would like to show appreciation to this writer just for rescuing me from this particular incident. Right after exploring through the world wide web and finding techniques which were not helpful, I was thinking my life was gone. Living minus the strategies to the issues you’ve sorted out as a result of your entire post is a serious case, as well as the ones that might have in a wrong way damaged my career if I had not come across the blog. The understanding and kindness in playing with all the stuff was priceless. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if I hadn’t discovered such a step like this. It’s possible to at this point look ahead to my future. Thanks very much for the reliable and result oriented help. I will not hesitate to propose the website to any individual who should get counselling on this issue.

  3. I happen to be writing to make you understand of the notable encounter our daughter enjoyed studying your web page. She even learned plenty of issues, most notably what it is like to have a very effective teaching mood to make folks without difficulty know precisely selected hard to do subject matter. You truly exceeded our own desires. Many thanks for coming up with such necessary, safe, informative as well as easy tips on that topic to Ethel.

  4. I’m just commenting to let you be aware of what a useful discovery my child developed studying your web site. She noticed a wide variety of pieces, which include what it is like to have an awesome helping heart to let many more completely know precisely chosen advanced subject areas. You actually surpassed my desires. Many thanks for supplying such effective, dependable, explanatory and in addition fun tips about this topic to Emily.

  5. Needed to write you a bit of observation to help give thanks again with your extraordinary strategies you’ve contributed in this case. It’s certainly tremendously generous of people like you to deliver publicly all that a few people would have supplied for an e-book to make some cash for themselves, mostly given that you could have tried it if you decided. The tactics also acted to provide a good way to know that other people online have the same desire like my own to see more and more related to this issue. I’m sure there are a lot more pleasant opportunities up front for individuals that look over your site.

  6. Thanks a lot for providing individuals with a very splendid chance to discover important secrets from this web site. It really is very fantastic and also stuffed with amusement for me and my office friends to visit your web site more than 3 times in a week to read through the new guidance you have. And indeed, we’re actually fascinated with the eye-popping things you give. Certain 3 ideas in this posting are unquestionably the finest we’ve ever had.

  7. I simply wished to thank you very much again. I am not sure the things that I might have made to happen in the absence of the actual strategies revealed by you about such theme. It had been a real frightening circumstance in my view, nevertheless finding out the specialised style you handled that took me to jump for delight. Now i’m thankful for the work and trust you recognize what a great job you have been providing training most people through the use of your websites. I am sure you haven’t met any of us.

  8. I would like to show my passion for your kind-heartedness for those who need help on this important topic. Your personal dedication to passing the solution all around turned out to be really important and have allowed workers just like me to get to their aims. The informative report can mean much a person like me and even further to my office workers. Best wishes; from all of us.

  9. My wife and i ended up being really happy when Louis managed to carry out his survey with the ideas he came across from your blog. It is now and again perplexing to simply be giving away key points which often the others may have been making money from. And we also recognize we need the writer to thank because of that. The illustrations you’ve made, the simple site menu, the relationships you will make it possible to foster – it is everything fantastic, and it is leading our son in addition to us consider that this issue is satisfying, and that is seriously mandatory. Many thanks for all the pieces!

  10. I definitely wanted to develop a message to thank you for all the fabulous concepts you are sharing here. My rather long internet lookup has at the end of the day been paid with reputable strategies to exchange with my co-workers. I would repeat that we visitors are undoubtedly endowed to live in a very good place with very many lovely people with helpful concepts. I feel extremely privileged to have seen your web pages and look forward to tons of more exciting minutes reading here. Thank you once again for all the details.

  11. I and my friends happened to be taking note of the good tricks on your web blog while unexpectedly got a horrible suspicion I had not expressed respect to you for those secrets. Most of the women appeared to be absolutely very interested to see all of them and already have extremely been enjoying these things. I appreciate you for turning out to be simply considerate as well as for figuring out such cool information millions of individuals are really desirous to be informed on. My personal sincere regret for not saying thanks to you earlier.

  12. I must express my thanks to you for bailing me out of this incident. As a result of browsing through the world wide web and meeting methods which are not powerful, I assumed my life was done. Living without the answers to the problems you have resolved as a result of your main guide is a crucial case, and those which could have in a negative way affected my entire career if I hadn’t noticed the website. Your personal training and kindness in controlling all the details was invaluable. I am not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t come upon such a point like this. I am able to at this point look forward to my future. Thanks for your time so much for this specialized and effective help. I won’t think twice to endorse the sites to any person who wants and needs tips on this problem.

  13. I am commenting to make you be aware of what a exceptional experience my friend’s child undergone browsing your blog. She realized so many things, not to mention what it’s like to possess an excellent giving character to make other individuals just completely grasp some tricky topics. You truly surpassed our own expectations. Thanks for rendering the informative, healthy, educational and also unique thoughts on that topic to Mary.

  14. I intended to put you that little remark so as to give thanks once again with the pleasant tricks you’ve contributed at this time. This is simply unbelievably generous of people like you to deliver unreservedly what exactly some people would’ve supplied as an electronic book to earn some dough on their own, particularly now that you could possibly have done it in case you desired. Those good ideas in addition acted to provide a good way to comprehend many people have a similar interest like my own to know the truth a whole lot more with reference to this matter. I’m certain there are a lot more fun periods up front for folks who take a look at your blog.

  15. I wish to voice my respect for your kind-heartedness giving support to people who require help with your study. Your real dedication to getting the solution all through came to be astonishingly productive and have in most cases empowered individuals just like me to arrive at their endeavors. Your personal warm and helpful help implies much to me and even further to my office workers. Thanks a ton; from everyone of us.

  16. I would like to show thanks to this writer just for rescuing me from such a issue. Because of searching through the search engines and getting concepts that were not powerful, I thought my entire life was over. Living devoid of the solutions to the issues you have solved as a result of your entire review is a crucial case, and the ones which may have in a negative way affected my career if I had not discovered the blog. Your main natural talent and kindness in touching all the details was important. I’m not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t come across such a subject like this. I can at this point look ahead to my future. Thank you so much for this skilled and result oriented guide. I will not be reluctant to endorse your site to any individual who requires guidance about this subject.

  17. I wanted to compose you a little bit of word so as to say thanks yet again with your marvelous thoughts you’ve featured in this article. This is really tremendously open-handed with you to allow without restraint all that a few people might have made available as an ebook to make some money for themselves, principally considering the fact that you might well have done it if you decided. The things in addition served to become good way to know that many people have the identical passion like my very own to grasp more and more with reference to this condition. I’m sure there are some more fun opportunities ahead for folks who start reading your site.

  18. I must point out my love for your kindness giving support to men and women who absolutely need help with this important study. Your real dedication to passing the solution across turned out to be particularly practical and has continuously helped employees like me to arrive at their objectives. Your informative hints and tips signifies a lot to me and a whole lot more to my office colleagues. Many thanks; from all of us.

  19. My husband and i got really lucky Albert managed to conclude his researching by way of the ideas he discovered using your web pages. It is now and again perplexing to simply be handing out instructions which usually people might have been making money from. We realize we have you to appreciate for that. The specific explanations you made, the simple blog navigation, the relationships you can help promote – it’s everything excellent, and it is facilitating our son and the family know that that subject matter is entertaining, and that’s incredibly mandatory. Thanks for all!

  20. I wanted to write down a brief word to appreciate you for all of the awesome guidelines you are placing here. My time intensive internet lookup has now been paid with extremely good points to talk about with my neighbours. I ‘d tell you that most of us website visitors are undeniably fortunate to live in a superb network with very many brilliant individuals with great points. I feel quite fortunate to have seen your entire web site and look forward to tons of more entertaining minutes reading here. Thanks a lot once more for a lot of things.

  21. Thanks a lot for providing individuals with remarkably splendid possiblity to read critical reviews from this website. It is always so superb and also stuffed with amusement for me and my office friends to search your web site a minimum of 3 times in one week to read through the latest guides you have got. And of course, we’re at all times fulfilled with the magnificent tips and hints served by you. Selected 2 points on this page are rather the best we have all had.

  22. My husband and i felt really fulfilled Albert could finish off his investigations using the ideas he grabbed from your web page. It is now and again perplexing just to find yourself giving out information which other people have been selling. And we remember we now have the website owner to appreciate for this. The main illustrations you made, the easy web site navigation, the friendships you assist to instill – it’s got many sensational, and it is letting our son and the family believe that the subject is entertaining, and that’s wonderfully important. Thanks for all!

  23. A powerful share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing slightly evaluation on this. And he in fact purchased me breakfast as a result of I discovered it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to debate this, I feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If possible, as you change into experience, would you mind updating your weblog with extra details? It’s extremely useful for me. Massive thumb up for this blog publish!

  24. I as well as my friends ended up going through the nice guides located on the website and so before long came up with an awful feeling I never thanked the web blog owner for those techniques. These young men happened to be as a consequence joyful to learn them and already have surely been making the most of them. We appreciate you indeed being quite considerate and also for picking this form of fantastic things millions of individuals are really desirous to be informed on. Our honest regret for not expressing appreciation to sooner.

  25. I wish to express some appreciation to the writer just for bailing me out of this issue. Just after researching throughout the the net and seeing proposals which were not beneficial, I believed my life was over. Being alive minus the solutions to the issues you’ve resolved all through your entire site is a critical case, and the kind that might have in a negative way damaged my entire career if I had not noticed your blog. Your main talents and kindness in taking care of a lot of stuff was helpful. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t come upon such a step like this. I am able to at this moment look ahead to my future. Thanks a lot very much for the specialized and result oriented guide. I will not think twice to recommend the blog to anybody who would need guidance about this area.

  26. I precisely wanted to thank you so much again. I’m not certain the things I would’ve sorted out without the type of aspects revealed by you on this question. This was a very scary matter for me, nevertheless spending time with this skilled tactic you handled that made me to cry over joy. I am happy for the advice and in addition believe you find out what an amazing job you happen to be providing training the mediocre ones with the aid of a blog. I am sure you haven’t met any of us.

  27. My wife and i got now fulfilled that Chris managed to deal with his reports through the precious recommendations he obtained from your own blog. It is now and again perplexing to simply always be giving freely information and facts which often some others could have been trying to sell. We really acknowledge we need the blog owner to thank for that. The illustrations you’ve made, the easy site navigation, the relationships you will make it easier to promote – it’s many powerful, and it’s really helping our son in addition to our family consider that this matter is thrilling, and that is unbelievably serious. Thanks for everything!

  28. Thank you for your entire efforts on this web page. My aunt really loves going through internet research and it is obvious why. We all know all of the powerful medium you render great guides on the blog and even welcome contribution from others on this point and our girl is understanding a whole lot. Take pleasure in the rest of the year. You are always conducting a dazzling job.

  29. I am also commenting to make you be aware of what a exceptional encounter my cousin’s daughter undergone reading through yuor web blog. She learned some issues, including what it’s like to have an incredible helping mindset to get men and women quite simply grasp specified specialized subject matter. You truly exceeded our expectations. Thank you for distributing the essential, safe, informative as well as unique tips about that topic to Janet.

  30. Dear Sylvia, My son died suddenly in March. He had gotten a car just 6 weeks earlier. He had times in his life when he was close to the Lord. He had been in an accident several years back and as a result his back rendered him disabled. Of course with all the pain he relied on prescription pain meds to manage. He changed so much and was only a shadow of the man he had been. In the midst of all the devastation I found your CD in his car. I can’t even explain how comforted I was that it was among the CD’s he’d chosen within his last 6 weeks. Thrilled my broken heart!

    1. Heidi, what a loss you’ve endured… I’m so very sorry. But thank you for sharing these encouraging words. Please private message me through this website as I would like to send you some more of my music. God bless you.

  31. I felt like I was reading about my life when I read this! I was the same way and God completely flipped my life upside down. I’m still married without children but God has healed my heart in ways I never knew possible and turned my heart towards others. I love Him and I love people! Thanks for sharing Sylvia!!!! Love ya!!!

  32. “There I humbly offered myself to God, as I then understood Him, to do with me as He would.”………. You are a miracle!! Bravo

  33. Sylvia, what a beautiful and honest experience to share. Thank you from the bottom of my heaert. You are a true inspiration.

  34. You are a beautiful gift! May your thankful spirit continue to bless and inspire all to look heavenward for our strength…just as you have!

  35. Your fearless and humble heart is so open and warm and loving.
    Thanks for another glimpse into how LOVE has changed you. It is powerfully impacting.

    1. All the old adages we heard since we were kids are true: “Love does conquer all.” “Love covers a multitude of sins.” And my personal favorite: “Love wins.”

      Every time.

  36. Wow. No matter the distance, nor how long in between times we literally vs virtually “see” each other, I hold you in my heart as a sister in spirit. You are so right; God is good, every day, and your witness has always been great inspiration for me… ❤️❤️❤️

  37. “Put down the glass and picked up a new life”–you have a gift with words. I can’t imagine you any other way but generous and giving!

  38. You always touch my heart and certainly spoke to where I came from BC. Your blog is a TG blessing. BTW, “God is good!” happens to be the treat command I use for my dogs. I love watching them run lickety split, tails wagging from the back of our large yard when I shout “God is good!” (Never minding what the neighbors may think). What a picture of the way I should be running towards the Lord! He is good all the time! Eph 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ”. You Sylvia are one of the many spiritual blessings (or in dog language – ‘treats’) in my life!

  39. Year after year, I get caught up in making sure the Thanksgiving meal is served hot, on time and as perfectly as I possibly can make it. What I’ve missed year after year is that moment when you look around the room and see how beautiful life, family and friends are. Yesterday, I stopped, looked and truly felt thankful. Happy belated Thanksgivng Syl. I loved your blog!

  40. I think many people feel this way. Personally, I know at times I have for sure. Today I am, like you, glad to be approaching the holiday from a state of consciousness and appreciation.

  41. What a timely message for so many during this entire season. Thank you for sharing your personal journey in such an honest way, yet taking us to the “light at the end of tunnel.” God is good and definitely our superglue. I am so thankful that His hand has been and continues to be on you. Love you and keep writing! It is all a part of the Master’s tapestry called Sylvia Lange.

  42. Feeling broken is the pits. It can rip your heart out. I’ve been there, done that but thankfully not this thanksgiving….well maybe for a minute or two. Sylvia, you are sooo right, it’s when I take my eyes off others and focus on me….brokenness enters and tears me apart. Lord keep me others centered. I love you Sylvia ❤️

  43. I love your generous heart and your honest spirit. Thank you for sharing on this glorious Thanksgiving day. The things of this world may allow us brief moments of happiness or sadness, but with Jesus at the core of our being, nothing can ever steal our joy. Only whole hallelujahs from now on!

  44. Loved this. I feel like the more we focus on others and not ourselves, the easier it becomes to deal with what we have going on in out own lives.

  45. My toddler grandson, Alden, spent yesterday and part of today,
    Thanksgiving Day, at Rady’s Hospital. He was there for a simple tonsillectomy, but docters concerns that the adnoids had grown back, and the bronchial tubes had become restricted, made it very scary for me, and all his family .
    He has many medical issues due to genetic birth defects, so we often worry about him.
    Divorced, for 3 years, alone for 5, I have had some lonely Thanksgivings in the past few years, even though this is the first one I have spent without a Thanksgiving with family or friends.

    This year I was entertaining and loving on Alden’s siblings, my 8 and 4 year old, grandchildren, Rhett and Maisie.
    I have to admit, It is not much of a holiday and while I can list my blessings, someimes my lonely, sad thoughts, way outnumber my moments of Thanksgiving.
    My little grandson whose adnoids were taken out a year ago, had not grown back, and the bronchial tubes were fine. And that is a Thanksgiving better than a meal with family all around.
    As I sit here alone, eating my rotiasserie chicken from sprouts and costco mashed potatoe and gravy, I can’t help reflect on my life.
    Things don’t look like things do in other homes, but God is good and I know he was there yesterday, at 7:30am for little Alden and he will be here today, for me.
    Life doesn’t always look the way we want it to, but God’s love is there, whether we see it and even when we don’t feel it.
    God is good.

    1. Susan, there’s a big lump in my throat as I read this beautiful, raw response. I’m so sorry for the worry and pain you are in. But dear girl, you are a great example of what PERSPECTIVE can do in the midst of some very trying circumstances. And it’s a choice, isn’t it? God bless you, sister!

  46. You are amazing. You get into my head, into my heart, into my life experiences with your writing. You have given words to a phenomena that comes along with putting down the drink. No one told us about that part, did they? Thank you for your openness and honesty and your beautiful insight. Happy Thanksgiving….and I do thank God for “giving” you your life back!!

    1. No one told us but you know what? If they had, I probably wouldn’t have believed them. But never mind, this life… this honest and dry life is the bomb, isn’t it?

  47. This reminds me of what makes basketball so cool. There are lone wolf players who irritate, but there are teammates who make good use of the pass…pass to the next guy who has a better position for a shot. In life, uplifting the value of the guy next to us…giving him or her the chance to shine …makes a good score possible. It’s a win win for him or her and it is a win for the giver …you. Love in action engenders love in return. …but don’t expect a return on the investment. That’s what is so uplifting. It is the satisfaction of the caring action that is done so the other person’s life is better for your being there that is so special.

  48. Thank you for sharing your story about Thanksgiving. I cannot understand your feeling exactly because I have never celebrate Thanksgiving before but I am excited to know what Thanksgiving is today.

  49. Syl, This is one of the best blogs you have written. I am filled to overflowing with thanksgiving for all The Lord has crammed into my life.
    I just lost a dear friends and my heart was empty but when I heard at his memorial that his biggest wish was to spend Christmas with Jesus and his beloved wife who left us for her heavenly home 2 years ago, my whole attitude changed. The ache of my empty heart seemed irreparable until one day a new couple joined our church. I was sitting next to them the day they joined. Who ever in their wildest dream would have know that this same couple would become what The Lord send to fill the empty spot Lois’ home going left. Now they’re gone but this same couple has become a real balm. God is good. Thank you Lord for knowing what I needed and for sending me more than I could ever dream of.

Leave a Reply to lacoste outlet Cancel reply

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

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.