Everywhere You Look – Thanksgiving

The power went off at the house the other night. All the sudden all the clocks were wrong. The alarm clock was not going to go off on time. If it stayed out too long the food in the freezer and refrigerator would go bad.

What if our phone or mail delivery suddenly stopped?

A good friend dies, and suddenly we discover how much he meant to us. Our water becomes too polluted to drink and suddenly we appreciate having good water.

Our attitude: “But, what have you done for me lately?” [selfish]

We are much like the little boy who was given an orange by a man. The boy’s mother asked, “What do you say to the nice man?” The little boy thought and handed the orange back and said, “Peel it.”

In regions of Mexico hot springs and cold springs are found side by side, and because of the convenience of this natural phenomenon the women often bring their laundry, boil their clothes in the hot springs, and then rinse them in the cold springs.

A tourist watching this procedure commented to his Mexican guide: "They must think Mother nature is generous to freely supply such ample, clean hot and cold water." The guide replied, "No senor, there is much grumbling because she supplies no soap."

Look at the things around us lets us notice the scenery. The recent colors and feel in the air. I am reminded to be thankful.

Yes, I know about how the leaves fall off and the color disappears. But, that is not reason to forget to give thanks.

Looking around me I am thankful for the generous provision of our God.

Looking around me I am thankful for the scenery which changes every season to something new and amazing.

Looking around me I am thankful for the people that God has placed around me.

How about looking inward to ourselves?

In a sense, thanksgiving is an expression of modesty. To offer thanks is to confess dependence, to acknowledge that others have the power to benefit you, to admit that your life is better because of their efforts.

I am Thankful for...

....the taxes I pay (sort of)

....because it means I’m employed.

....the clothes that fit a little too snug

....because it means I have enough to eat.

....a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and

....gutters that need fixing

....because it means I have a home.

....the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot

....because it means I am capable of walking.

....my huge heating bill

....because it means I am warm.

....all the complaining I hear about our government

....because it means we have freedom of speech.

....the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours

....because it means that I’m alive.

....weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day

....because it means I have been productive. [that’s sincere gratefulness]

The yearly celebration of Thanksgiving should only be highlight of a year of thanks-living

The art of thanks-living. It is gratitude in action. [demonstrating it!]

It is thanking God for the gift of life by living it triumphantly.

[if it reaches your hand then it has reached your heart!]

It is thanking God for your talents and abilities by accepting them as obligations to be invested for the common good.