Thanksgiving Day
I’m sure I don’t need to remind anyone that today is Thanksgiving Day. I hope that you are finding time to gather with the family and friends for whom you are thankful. I hope you can take a few moments to jot down a few things for which you are thankful.
Thankfulness, like many things, is something of a learned behavior. I don’t think any of us are born innately knowing how to thank someone for a kindness done to us or how to make a list of the people and things for which we are thankful.
Why not start now on this day of giving thanks? Write a note of thankfulness to your child’s teacher, or to your teacher, thanking them for what they do. Call a distant relative on the phone and just chat for a bit and end your call by saying, “I’m thankful we’re related.” Send an email to 5 friends detailing some of what you appreciate about each of them.
One of my thankfulness practices is keeping a Thankfulness Journal. Every morning, as part of my devotions, I jot down 5 items from the previous day for which I’m thankful. They can be huge acts of thanks or simply remembering something quite banal. I’m thankful traffic was light that day. I’m thankful for the nice conversation I had at lunch. I’m thankful to my friend who sent an email of support. You get the idea.
And when you’re done with your list, offer God a prayer of thanks for these and so many other blessings.
I am thankful for the gift of music in my life. Below is a link to one of my favorite thankfulness hymns. Cut and paste it into your browser to enjoy it. Maybe even contemplate your state of thankfulness while you are listening.
I am thankful for each of you and for God’s love that brought us together.
Happy Thanksgiving to all,
Pastor Ken.
