Dear Church Family,
November is often recognized as the month of gratitude in the
Church. We are encouraged to reflect on the blessings we have
received, whether gathered with family or friends around the
Thanksgiving dinner table. Additionally, as a church community, we are inspired to remember the lonely and isolated, extending Jesus’ love to them.
I would like to share one of my experiences of Jesus’ love with you. My first Thanksgiving in the United States was in Wilmore, Kentucky, where Asbury Theological Seminary is located. Many
international students, like me, had to stay on campus during the Thanksgiving break, but most were invited to someone’s home. My family received several invitations from American friends, allowing us to experience American culture firsthand.
Our first Thanksgiving experience, complete with turkey and a variety of side dishes, was incredible, especially the warmth of our hosts’ welcome. Each Thanksgiving, we had the privilege of celebrating with a different family.
It has been nearly fourteen years since we arrived in the United States, and during that time, we have enjoyed a range of turkey recipes. What a wonderful privilege it has been! We have also had the opportunity to invite others to our home and share my favorite recipes on Thanksgiving Day.
As an immigrant family, living in a new country and navigating a different system and culture has not been an easy journey. There have been challenges, and hurts, but most importantly, I have
experienced hospitality and love. I have always been surrounded by kindness, which has made a
profound difference in my life.
Nowadays, as part of my soul training from our small group (Spiritual Formation Group), I practice
counting my blessings every day. I used to wake up focused solely on my to-do list, prioritizing tasks each morning. However, since being assigned soul training in our small group, I intentionally take the time to count my blessings each morning and write them in my journal.
I strive to notice something new each day that I hadn’t recognized before, realizing just how many blessings God has given me. This small habit has transformed my perspective, leading me to experience more gratitude than complaints or feelings of lack.
I would like to encourage you to join this soul training that will change your life once it becomes a habit. Here are the guidelines below.
Soul Training
Counting your blessings is a powerful spiritual exercise. 1) Make a list of all the things God has
blessed you with, all the things that make life wonderful. 2) Pay attention to the details of your life. Look for the hidden things. 3) Take notice of all those wonderful things you easily overlook. When we are grateful for something as ordinary as curiosity, we are praising God. In every single moment, we have an opportunity to find something worth being amazed by. The more we do it, the more likely it will become a habit.
Blessings,
Jinkyoung