If you’re like me, you are dumbfounded that Thanksgiving is around the corner, which is next week people! I really do believe October, November and December race to see which one can sprint the fastest! I’ve considered taking up jogging just to be more adequately prepared for these competing months. But since I haven’t, I feel totally deficient for the many activities that spring up. So here I go again crying out for some rest from the mad dash!

“But God!” I love how He brings me back to where I need to be. He’s always waiting for me to just acknowledge that I can’t do it on my own. And so, I “Stop, Drop, and Roll,” right?! Well as children, we’re taught if your clothes ever catch on fire, stop, drop and roll to put out the fire! So, I’ve decided to implement the stop, drop and roll in my daily walk with the Lord to put out even a spark that flies! Anytime I’m feeling overwhelmed I stop what I’m doing, I drop to my knees, and I roll a cry for help off my tongue.

In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears (Psalm 18:6, NIV).

“My God!” I love how He brings something to my attention that takes the spotlight off me and puts it on Him, where it is supposed to be anyway!

As I rolled that cry off my tongue asking the Lord to renew my mind with Thanksgiving, He brought an article to my attention. The 79 Cameroon children who had been kidnapped last week had been safely returned. Thank you, Lord, I shouted with joy!! And another answered prayer that I was able to “give thanks to him and praise his name” for was hearing that a cease-fire in Israel has been offered. Two immediate answers to some tough real life stop, drop and roll tactics of prayer. And as Thanksgiving approaches, and I tally up the many blessings that are in abundance, I will . . .

Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth!

Worship the LORD with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the LORD is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation

(Psalm 100, NLT, A psalm of thanksgiving).