Thanksgiving and Gratitude

We give thanks to thee, O God: we give thanks: we call on Thy name and recount Thy wondrous deeds. Psalm 75:1

Autumn is here. A kaleidoscope of colorful leaves is falling from the trees. As the cooler weather approaches, we begin to look towards the holidays.  Thanksgiving has always been a special holiday for it focuses on family and what the Lord has given us. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on the goodness of the Lord. We daily say Grace before meals and thank God for many things, but how often do we take the time to think that everything we are, have or will have in the future is because of His goodness and mercy?

Twenty years ago my cousin gave me a book entitled Simple Abundance. One of the exercises in this book was to write down five things we are thankful each day. At first I wrote the typical items such as family, love, health, home, and food. After about a week, I really started to think of the happenings each day and chose something special. One day as I was folding the 6^th load of laundry, I realized how blessed I was to be able to do laundry at home. I did not have take everything to the laundromat. That night I added washer and dryer for my list. Each day after that it became easier to find things to be grateful for.  I became more aware of little things that in the past I had taken for granted – the sunshine, a rainy day, a butterfly, the smell of cookies baking, a stranger’s smile, and even spilled juice on the floor. Spilled juice on the floor you ask? Yes! For it meant that my children had juice.

In today’s fast paced world, we tend to overlook some the simplest gifts God sends us each day. Look around and notice all the good things in your life. So many people in various places in the world have so little: lack of shelter, food, medical care and education. When I was young, my mother told me to eat all my dinner because there were poor children in China that didn’t have any.  Let me tell you, it was very hard to be thankful for creamed peas. Today I understand.

When we give thanks, we should reflect on each blessing and not repeat prayers mindlessly out of habit. So many are guilty of this, myself included. This Thanksgiving and each day take time to enjoy the blessings God has given you. Be thankful for everything. Take time to end your day with prayers of gratitude. You will build inner joy.