Thanksgiving is almost upon us..and what is the first thing that comes to mind? Turkey and all the trimmings? Getting together with family and friends? Should you accept the invitation of a friend, or should you host the dinner? and if you do, who will be on the invitation list? Are you anxious about fixing up and decorating your home? For some people it is a joyous time and for some it may be a stressful time, like it so often is with holidays. And what comes after dessert? For some people it is a football game or a nap on the couch. Others start planning their Christmas shopping early the next day. But it seems like our focus may be a little off balance. Shouldn't there be more to Thanksgiving? Why is it that things evolve around us? me and I?
Thanksgiving is a great time to look back over the past year and remember the ways that God has blessed us. Thanksgiving Day should remind us to have a grateful heart all year long. I know it might be hard for some people who may have experienced some tough situations this past year, and it is a challenge to be thankful. Thanking God may be the last thing you feel like doing. BUT, even if you had a few setbacks or have some bad experiences or memories, there is always something we can find that we can be thankful for. Often we forget the simple blessings. They are taken for granted. For example, did you have a car to drive to work? did you have an income from a job? food on the table, and a home and a family? how about good health? or that accident that was avoided on the way to work? how about a good night's sleep? and a dog who runs to greet you when you come home? (different story with a cat!)...Anyway, you get the idea. We DO have things to be thankful for, but they are not always on our radar screen, because they may be too simple or 'insignificant' to notice. They are routine.
If we were to make thankfulness a pattern of thinking, or a daily habit, it would impact our lives in a positive way. Instead of reserving gratitude only for what seems good, we should give thanks in everything (1Thessalonians 5:18). By thanking God in the midst of pain and suffering or difficulty, we acknowledge that He knows what's best for us, even if we don't understand why something is happening. Maybe what we are going thru is to prepare us for something else, later on in our lives.
Although gratitude may not change the way things are, it will change our attitude, and that makes all the difference in the world. Would you rather be grateful or moan and groan and complain, and have a pity party? So, in a few weeks, when we get together for our Thanksgiving dinner, let's share something that we are thankful for and then, continue to express our gratitude to God throughout our daily lives.
Happy Turkey Day!
Thanksgiving is a great time to look back over the past year and remember the ways that God has blessed us. Thanksgiving Day should remind us to have a grateful heart all year long. I know it might be hard for some people who may have experienced some tough situations this past year, and it is a challenge to be thankful. Thanking God may be the last thing you feel like doing. BUT, even if you had a few setbacks or have some bad experiences or memories, there is always something we can find that we can be thankful for. Often we forget the simple blessings. They are taken for granted. For example, did you have a car to drive to work? did you have an income from a job? food on the table, and a home and a family? how about good health? or that accident that was avoided on the way to work? how about a good night's sleep? and a dog who runs to greet you when you come home? (different story with a cat!)...Anyway, you get the idea. We DO have things to be thankful for, but they are not always on our radar screen, because they may be too simple or 'insignificant' to notice. They are routine.
If we were to make thankfulness a pattern of thinking, or a daily habit, it would impact our lives in a positive way. Instead of reserving gratitude only for what seems good, we should give thanks in everything (1Thessalonians 5:18). By thanking God in the midst of pain and suffering or difficulty, we acknowledge that He knows what's best for us, even if we don't understand why something is happening. Maybe what we are going thru is to prepare us for something else, later on in our lives.
Although gratitude may not change the way things are, it will change our attitude, and that makes all the difference in the world. Would you rather be grateful or moan and groan and complain, and have a pity party? So, in a few weeks, when we get together for our Thanksgiving dinner, let's share something that we are thankful for and then, continue to express our gratitude to God throughout our daily lives.
Happy Turkey Day!
