A Thankful Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving quickly drawing near, it’s a wonderful time to give thanks for the things we are thankful for. I enjoy using this time of year to reevaluate my mindset and cherish the people and things I am thankful for. We sometimes get so caught up in the stresses of life we forget the abundance we have to be thankful for. Use this time to count your blessings and give praise to God for all we have as we always should.

Be Thankful for the Good and the Bad

Often, all we can see are the negatives of a situation. But, if you look hard enough, there is almost always a positive side. A good example I’ve mentioned before is like the job you may not like has enabled you to be able to provide for your family and support your dreams. A tough battle you’ve been facing has tested you and given your endurance a chance to grow. Those trials you are facing may be the one thing that gives you the knowledge to help someone struggling similarly. Give thanks for the good and the bad.

Make a List

A fantastic way to see how much God has blessed you this year is to make a list! Even if you jot down 5 quick things you’ll quickly see how much you have to give thanks for. It can be as simple as you are thankful you woke up healthy this morning when many didn’t. Or, being more appreciative of the car you have. It may not be what you want, but it gets you where you need to be. Give thanks for the small things and God will bless you with big things. Make that list and praise God for all he’s blessed you with!

Start a Family Tradition

A nice family tradition to keep you humble could be going around the dinner table and each saying something you are grateful for this year before saying grace. Of course, the biggest thing we should always be grateful for is our Lord and Savior. For without Him we would be and would not have anything. Always remember to put His kingdom first. Instead of the ‘He’s the reason for the season’ mentality only being thought of around Christmas, make sure He’s the reason at all times.

Are you thankful for the right things?

Something to note, always remember that we should be more grateful for people than we are for material possessions. As you know, a house, car, or money cannot love nor fulfill you. But, our God, your friend, family, or your spouse can and does. Material possessions can come and go, rust or rot, but God and His love is forever. Store your treasures in Heaven!

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
Matthew 6:19-21

Love and Cherish those around you

Show appreciation to those around you for none are promised eternity here on Earth. Our days are numbered and we never know which day could be our last. So love and cherish those around you showing them how thankful you are for them. Share God with them and pray with them. There’s nothing more uplifting than a group of people or family praising God together.

Reflection:

What are you thankful for this year? When was the last time you gave thanks to God for the good and the bad? What’s first on your list of things you are grateful for?

Pro Tip:

Get a jar and write down one thing you are thankful for each day. After writing what you are thankful for that day toss it in the jar. At the end of the month, or on Thanksgiving, share with family or read to yourself. This way you will truly see how many daily blessings you have in your life. This will help you lead each day with a grateful heart. And, who knows, maybe you continue this even past Thanksgiving! This would be a fun activity to do as a family.

Prayer:

Dear Lord,
Thank you for your many blessings. Thank you for your word and guidance in my life. Open my heart and my eyes to see what’s truly important in my life. Guide my path and direct my steps as to where you would have me go. May your will be done in my life and the lives of those around me. I want to be a guiding light to those around me. May they only see and hear you when they speak to me. I ask for help to be more appreciative of those in my life and not focus on material things that come and go. Lord, instill in me a thankful and humbled heart as I strive to be like you more and more each day.
In Jesus name,
Amen!

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