BECOMING MORE THANKFUL

Thanksgiving is next week, but I celebrated Thanksgiving with my family yesterday. We had too much food, laughed at silly things, and all dressed up in our Christmas pajamas and took a photo. It is easy to be thankful for days like these, but it is the other 364 days that I want to talk about.

Years ago, my preacher did a sermon on being thankful. That sermon has stayed with me, and I try to remember what he said and put his suggestions into practice. This is a habit that I would love to say has taken root in my soul, but unfortunately, I have not been successful. I am once again making the effort, and I thought you might want to go on the journey with me.

My preacher simply said, “What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked the Lord for last night?” That is such a scary thought. I like to think of myself as a thankful person, but I am fully aware that I do not thank the Lord for EVERYTHING I am thankful for.

Family. This one is easy for most of us. We are all thankful for our family, including those annoying relatives you only have to see occasionally. No names mentioned please.

Health. This is another area that is easy for most of us. We are thankful for the health we have and the health of our family and friends. That doesn’t mean that sickness isn’t in our lives, but we need to remember to be thankful for the health we do have. I spend a great deal of time asking the Lord to heal people I know who are fighting diseases, but I don’t think I have ever thanked Him for the days He has given them. I don’t think I have ever said, “Thank You, Lord, for giving my friend another day on this earth.”

Friends. Yes, I am very thankful for my friends. I am thankful for those “old” friends from my past that I only talk to on FaceBook, and I am thankful for those friends that I see or talk to often. I am thankful for all the “new” friends I make daily through the blog. It is amazing how you can get to know someone from the comments and posts you see on the blog, FaceBook, and Instagram.

Church. I remember to thank the Lord for my preacher and church family. I admit that this is not on my list nightly, and that is a scary thought. What would this world be like without churches? Where could Christians go to talk and sing praises? How would non-Christians hear the word of God?

Work. When we lived in Grundy, it was a very depressed area. That makes one very thankful for the ability to earn a living. The coal fields have been hit very hard, and those who still have jobs are thankful. The businesses in this area are having to adjust to the dwindling economy and paychecks of those in the county. We are VERY thankful for every day we are blessed with a business.

Technology. Think of what your life would be like without technology. No electricity, no cars, no microwave, no dishwasher, no Internet, no television, no computers, the list can go on and on forever. We are blessed, and there is so much to be thankful for. I never say a prayer of thankfulness for those scientists working hard for cures to diseases. I never say a prayer of thankfulness for those brilliant minds who are inventing technology that I couldn’t even begin to comprehend.

Government. I am always praying for the guidance of those in power and those who have the duty of keeping our government running. I may not always agree with the policies of the person in power, but I am thankful for all that our system allows for its people. The government runs things like healthcare, prisons, schools, post offices, libraries, highways, etc. I think you see how important the government is to our everyday lives.

And the most important thing we need to be thankful for is that the Lord made the ultimate sacrifice when He sent His son to earth to live and die for our sins. Do you thank Him for this nightly? What if that hadn’t happened? Where would we be? What hope would we have?

1 Thessalonians 5:18

¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:17

¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

There is so much to be thankful for on a daily basis. I am thankful for the little fur baby sitting beside me, watching me as I type. There are so many things that you can’t imagine life being the same without. When you lay your head down tonight, please remember to praise the Lord and tell Him how thankful you are.

To GOD Goes The Glory!

Have A Blessed Day!