I have much to be thankful for, and I am. I attempt each day to thank God for His rich blessings to me and my family, my country, my world. I like to call my attitude thanksliving. I find it ironic that many will not give thanks today. They will call this set-aside day Turkey Day. They will just overindulge in a feast without thanking the One who provided it. They will not even give a cursory bow to our ancestors who were thankful while starving, who were thankful even when they were isolated in a hostile winter without adequate shelter, who were thankful as their numbers were quickly decimated by disease, who were thankful because they saw the possibililities in a land where they were free.
Permit me to indulge in a few blessings I see this day, in random order, so that you, Dear Reader, may reflect on your list.
I am thankful to shop in a grocery store with shelves laden with products the rest of the world cannot even name. Even as my pantry is full, my refrigerator shelves sit laden with goodies for today’s feast, my waistline is woefully buried under layers of fleshy fat, my cats eat better than much of the world’s population, and I even have funds left to feed the birds and raccoons in the yard, to contribute to food pantries, and to share with twelve people seated around my table. Yes, I am thankful that I have more than the five pieces of corn alloted daily to the first settlers here from Europe on the second thanksgiving in Colonial America.
I am thankful that the government does not own the only computers. My phone, my laptop, our family computer,our cable service all tell me about my world! I have instant access to information. I not only learn one new thing a day; I filter thousands of pieces of information. I am on steady input, sometimes so much so that I stress over things not even remotely important to me personally. Blessing, oh yes!
I am thankful that God has provided shelter. More than shelter, that God has provided for me ten shelters through my lifetime. I have freely lived in four states, in ten different houses. I have lived and loved in each of them. I have built memories, achieved successes, suffered losses, recovered from discouragements, and thanked God for the provision He’s given in all walks of my life.
I am thankful for loved ones. I fondly remember my four siblings, one of whom went home to his Master a few short months ago. I am thankful for loving parents and grandparents who helped guide me and build my character. I am thankful for friends who have loved me and enriched my life. I am thankful for the “cloud of witnesses” who have guided my Christian walk. I am thankful for career associates who have helped me learn and teach. I am thankful that every individual is unique, blessed by God with appearance, thoughts, memories, personal histories, intelligent attibutes, and personalities which have enriched mine.
I am thankful for my grandbabies, one of whom is only three weeks old. I am thankful for hope, for potential, for dreams.
I am thankful for a husband who completes me. I am thankful that a month from today we will celebrate our 45th anniversary. I am thankful for his provision, for his allowing me to become who I am. I am thankful that in this society, and in God’s eyes and his, that he does not “own” me, but that we are partners in this lifewalk.
I am thankful to have presented to this world a son and daughter, both of whom love their Lord, love each other, and love us as parents.
I am thankful to have enough but not too much of this world’s goods. Like most, I “worry” (not really) about finances, but have seen God provide for our every need, and most of our desires even. Compared to the world’s population, we live like kings and queens, and often think it’s because of our efforts. Lord, help us to be grateful for your provision in this time and place.
I am thankful to living in America. I am thankful for her heritage, for those even today who protect her in far-off dangerous places, for those who seek her good, and for those who have come before us, upholding claims of liberty for all. I am dismayed that freedoms are threatened, but know God is in charge, and that ultimately we are citizens of a far greater world than this.
I am thankful to God for providing an escape for my sinful nature, and that I know the love and benefits of knowing a Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory!
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