Thanksgiving



Every afternoon on the fourth Thursday in November I find myself in the same place.  I sit in my lazy-boy chair at home filled with turkey and stuffing, watching football.  As I doze off into a deep sleep I wonder, "Is this what it means to be thankful?"


Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.. (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 NIV)


Giving thanks is one of the most important disciplines for our spiritual growth.  However, thankfulness is not just about saying thank you when good things come our way.  It is also not about avoiding unpleasantness or realizing that there is someone out there who has it worse.  Giving thanks is not just learning how to put on a happy face.  Thanksgiving is an avenue to learn more about what is truly important in life.  It is a way of living rather than a state of being.  


I try to start my prayers every evening with at least five thanksgivings from the day.  The more I give thanks, the more I see thanksgivings.  The more we prayerfully give thanks, the more we shift our focus to see love in every situation.  Thankfulness opens our eyes to value community, relationships, family, faith, and hope.  These gifts are constantly present.  The discipline of giving thanks teaches us that life is much more than just outcomes of good or bad, happiness or sadness, success or failure.  Our lives will have twists and turns, tragedies and triumphs.  However, a life of giving thanks develops our ability to see where God is in all things.


May your Thanksgiving be blessed realizing that our greatest gifts are already in our lives.  Thanks be to God!


Today is God's Present!


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