Thanksgiving 2024

As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting deeply on gratitude—not just the kind that comes with the season, but the kind that stays with you for years. Sometimes, life’s challenges seem overwhelming, but moments of grace remind us of just how much there is to be thankful for.

This year, I want to share a testimony of thankfulness that I never want to take for granted or forget.

A few years ago, my wife’s health began to decline. At first, the changes were subtle—things we brushed off as minor or temporary. But over time, it became clear that something more serious was going on. We tried everything we could think of to improve the situation—lifestyle changes, diet changes—but her condition continued to worsen.

After much prayer and discussion, we decided to seek medical advice. The test results confirmed what we suspected: she had cancer, and it was progressing rapidly.

Our prayers became focused and specific. The doctor urged surgery, warning that any delay could make the situation untreatable. After more prayer and discussion, we agreed to move forward. From the outset, my wife was adamant: she did not want chemotherapy or radiation afterward. She would rather trust God fully and focus on a healthy, intentional lifestyle instead.

The surgery went as well as we could have hoped. The doctor told us the cancer had progressed to Stage 3, and it was a good thing we consented when we did—it was on the verge of progressing to Stage 4. He believed he had removed all traces of the cancer, though he made it clear there were no guarantees. He again recommended follow-up chemo and radiation to reduce the risk of recurrence, but my wife remained steadfast in her decision.

The doctor respected her choice, though he reminded us to remain vigilant. He asked to see her for regular check-ups and urged us to call immediately if any symptoms returned.

That was nearly seven years ago. Today, my wife is still with me, healthy and thriving. Each time we went back, the doctor was amazed at her progress. He often told her, “You’re my star patient. Keep doing whatever you’re doing,” especially as we passed the critical five-year milestone when recurrences are most common. On a couple of occasions, he even acknowledged that her decision to decline chemo and radiation had worked out well for her.

Looking back on this journey, especially during this season of Thanksgiving, I’m reminded of how desperate we were in those early days—how uncertain the future seemed—and how we called upon God in faith. I never want to forget the depth of gratitude and awe I felt then and still feel now.

Perhaps you might chalk this up to coincidence, and that’s your choice. But as for me, I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe in a God who listens, who cares, and who answers prayers, even in life’s darkest moments.

Yes, there are many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. But for me, nothing compares to the gift of having my wife by my side, healthy and whole, seven years after the diagnosis that changed our lives.

So, as we gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving, I encourage you to reflect on the blessings in your own life. Some moments of grace are too extraordinary to forget, and some acts of gratitude deserve to be renewed year after year.

Happy Thanksgiving, and may you find joy in the blessings that surround you.

Author Steven Nimocks

I’ve been on a creative streak lately, writing several new short stories during a recent surge of inspiration. While not all of them have been published yet, they’re polished and ready to go—you’ll be seeing them soon!

On the novel front, I have three major projects in progress:

• The Inca Portal (Sci-Fi/Fantasy): Currently at 149,000 words, with the final part of Act 2 and all of Act 3 still to write.
• A historical fiction novel (title still undecided): At 49,000 words so far, I’m about halfway through.
• An untitled Sci-Fi/Dystopian Mystery: This one is at 83,000 words, and I’ve just wrapped up Act 1 with three acts to go.

There’s a lot of exciting work on the horizon, and I can’t wait to share it with you. Stay tuned—good things are coming your way!

Fertile Ground for Murder just received another glowing 5-star review from Literary Titan—thank you for that! The stats on Amazon and Goodreads continue to climb as more readers discover the book and share their thoughts.

If you’ve already read Fertile Ground for Murder, I’d love to hear from you! Leaving a review, like, or comment makes a big difference in helping others discover the story.

If you haven’t had the chance to read it yet, you can grab your copy here: Fertile Ground for Murder – Payhip.

During my recent creative streak, I wrote several short stories, and this month, I’d like to share one of them with you: The Smart House.

It’s a quick read—just five minutes—and perfect for a short break. You can enjoy it online here: Read The Smart House, or if you prefer an ebook format, you can download it for free here: Download The Smart House.

I hope you enjoy this bite-sized story, and as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

ARC (Advanced Reader’s Copy) Program

With three novels currently in the works, I’ll soon be looking for beta readers to join my ARC (Advanced Reader’s Copy) program. As an ARC reader, you’ll get early access to one (or more) of the novels before their release date, giving you the chance to dive into the story and share your thoughts.

Your reviews and ratings will be invaluable in helping these books make a strong debut on release day!

Stay tuned—more details on how to sign up as a volunteer will be coming soon.

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