Why I Give Thanks

About a year and a half ago I went to take care of my best friend from college, Cathy, for the first few days after she had a knee replacement. I had a knee replacement the year before, so I knew what those first few days were like, and I knew how to nudge her along in her recovery.

I kept cheering her on and telling her how much better it would get as long as she kept doing her exercises and pushing herself. At one point after she was struggling and I gave her my best pep talk, she looked at me, rolled her eyes, and said, “You always have to be positive, don’t you? You were like that even when we were in college.”

Those comments caught me off guard. I know that I choose to be positive these days, but I hadn’t realized that I had been like that so many years ago. I believe that the reason I give thanks is because I examine the world with a positive outlook.

I think my positive outlook started during childhood because I spent so much time with Grandma Braun and because of so many of my teachers in school. I remember my grandmother telling me stories and showing me everything in which she was interested. She often told me to appreciate nature, books, gardening, sewing, and animals.

My teachers in school helped me to see and to appreciate all of those things and more, and they gave me the opportunity to go deeper. I learned how things worked, how to examine things under a microscope, how to do research, and how to put pieces together. Throughout my school years, my teachers shared their appreciation for and their excitement about whatever they taught.

I still have a great appreciation for learning and for nature. My husband and I love to travel, which allows us to visit places that we’ve read about and to learn more about history. We have been to Europe and have only one more state to visit. Our current travel plans are to visit as many of our national parks as we can so that we can see for ourselves the glorious beauty of this great nation.

I have a great appreciation for the seasons of life. The lessons we learn in our youth are built upon as we mature. Each season of life has its joys and its challenges. Each season teaches us new lessons about life. I have tried to be intentionally aware during each season of my life so that I don’t miss what they have to teach me.

Sometimes those lessons can be difficult lessons to learn. When I have been through difficult times, I have been especially appreciative of soft landings. When there are people around to shore me up, when new opportunities come available after doors have closed, and when healing has replaced illness, I have been deeply grateful for those soft landings.

Why do I give thanks? I give thanks because I live a good life. It’s not perfect. It’s not always easy, but I still notice the blessings all around me. I respect when life gives me challenges and difficulties. I try to learn lessons from all of it. Above all, I know that through everything, through all of life’s ups and downs, God has been and continues to be with me.

In Psalm 31:8 (NIV), we read, “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With God at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” I really do try to keep my eyes on God at all times. I believe that my positive attitude helps me to see what God is up to, even when I’m not exactly sure where I am going.

During this month of Thanksgiving, we all have the opportunity to take stock in our lives, to realize our blessings, and to give thanks to God. May we all take that opportunity to reflect and to truly give thanks.

Grandmother, teachers motivated appreciation

By Rev. Beth Macha

Special to NEW Media

A positive outlook and an appreciation for the seasons of life are among the things that drive Pastor Beth Macha, who serves Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church.

Warren Bluhm | NEW Media

The Rev. Beth Macha has been pastor of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church outside Suring for about two years. She served for 17 years previously as an interim pastor for several congregations throughout the state and region.