--- title: Giving Thanks Amidst the Pain description: The Thanksgiving holiday provides an opportunity to serve those for whom giving thanks is a challenge. --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/11/26/giving-thanks-amidst-the-pain#) # Giving Thanks Amidst the Pain Nov 26, 2014 8:00:57 AM  |  by [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) [![World View Wednesdays](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/wvw_logo_rectangle_600x352-550x322-55.jpg?width=550&height=322&name=wvw_logo_rectangle_600x352-550x322-55.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/wvw_logo_rectangle_600x352-26.jpg) [![Screen Shot 2014-11-25 at 9.56.54 AM](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2014-11-25-at-9_56_54-AM-550x295.png?width=350&height=188&name=Screen-Shot-2014-11-25-at-9_56_54-AM-550x295.png)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2014-11-25-at-9_56_54-AM.png)*As the world around us swirls in a frenzy of turkeys to be brined and pies to be baked...* *As we struggle to finish work so that we can walk away for a few days to feast with loved ones...* *As we anticipate how snow will potentially wreak havoc on travel plans...* *As we pause, telling ourselves we have so very much for which we are grateful to God...* **...we grasp for grace that can be found only in God, through God and with God.** I'm carrying a few heavy intentions on my heart today. Though the struggles are not mine, the pain they inflict has me deeply cognizant of the many for whom "Thanksgiving" is anything but a holiday: **The lonely**, who will dine in solitude **The homeless**, who will welcome the scraps from our bountiful tables **The addicted**, for whom feasting is equal to sinning **The hopeless**, who in their desperation cannot see an end in sight to their suffering. ***They are on my heart today***. As I'm supposed to be shopping and cooking, but I can't seem to do anything but ponder how **they** feel today. The fixer in me wants to find a quantum fix for a world where [in anger we burn our own communities](http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/25/justice/ferguson-grand-jury-decision/index.html?hpt=hp_t1). The peacemaker in me wants to hug those in broken relationships and wish upon them some of the bountiful love I feel in my own life. The one who struggles with her own addictions and demons wants to lone them some of the willpower that she finds only in trusting God's goodness. **I can't fix it all**. I sadly can't ease most of their hurts. And today, even in my own bountiful gratitude, my heart aches for those who feel **thankful for nothing**, for whom the very act of living feels so burdensome. In a fit of sadness this morning I turned to scripture and [again found words which have given me hope in the past:](http://usccb.org/bible/romans/8) > *I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.* > *For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God;* > *for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope* > *that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.* > *We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;* > *and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.* > *For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees?* > *But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.* > *In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.* > *And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.* We wait. We hope. We pray. and we try to love, to be present, to provide hope. ***For in hope we were saved.*** We give thanks, even amidst the pain. and** then we give our "Yes" to God by loving, serving, caring.** ...even **amidst**, and perhaps even more so because of,*** the pain***. *Copyright 2014 Lisa M. Hendey*     ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F11%2F26%2Fgiving-thanks-amidst-the-pain%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F11%2F26%2Fgiving-thanks-amidst-the-pain%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F11%2F26%2Fgiving-thanks-amidst-the-pain%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Giving%20Thanks%20Amidst%20the%20Pain) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F11%2F26%2Fgiving-thanks-amidst-the-pain%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F11%2F26%2Fgiving-thanks-amidst-the-pain%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Lisa%20M%20Hendey%202024.png) ### [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) Lisa M. Hendey is the founder of CatholicMom.com, a bestselling author and an international speaker. A frequent radio and television guest, Hendey travels internationally giving workshops on faith, family, and communications. Visit Lisa at [LisaHendey.com](http://lisahendey.com), on her Substack at [LisaHendey.Substack.com](http://lisahendey.substack.com/), or on social media @LisaHendey for information on her speaking schedule or to invite her to visit your group, parish, school or organization. [Find Lisa’s books on her Amazon author page](https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-M-Hendey/e/B002ZM9FH0). [**](http://facebook.com/lisamhendey) [**](http://twitter.com/lisahendey) ## Related Blog Articles [ Thanksgiving Resources Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2008/11/25/thanksgiving-resources) [ Catholic Moments #80 - Thanksgiving 2008 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2008/11/26/catholic-moments-80-thanksgiving-2008) [ Thanks St. Clement Moms! 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