A Thankful Heart

There is a humbling experience in being thankful. I think that's where our forefathers had it right when they celebrated in giving thanks for how God provided a new land and opportunity. Each thanksgiving there is a moment of reflection around the turkey table when we all take a moment to say thanks, but I have always felt that was just to staged.  On Thanksgiving it was expected to be thankful, but the greater question is, do I live everyday with a thankful heart?  What are the kinds of things that make me thankful and appreciative? My life, my family, and those things I attribute to the faithfulness of God?  Everyday I am up at about 4am, and I am thankful.  Yes, even at that early hour I am grateful, because it's quiet!

I am thankful for my health that I am still able to be mobile and in my right mind.  I remember for years doing testimony time at church, and the older people would stand and start their thankful thoughts, with "I thank God for waking them up that day in their right mind.  I guess you don't appreciate that until your older. 

I am reminded continually how blessed I am to live in a home where I work, where my animals have a safe environment, and where my family always is loved. In these tough economic times, I am thankful I am not hungry or cold, or without shelter. To many Americans this may not be too uncommon to have these things, but more Americans are feeling the pain of hunger and losing their shelter. Many in the world have much less than the poorest American, so even those without some of the amenities of the American dream can still be thankful for a society that will care for them.

I am also thankful that we can still express our thoughts, and be pro active in bringing about change in our political system. We still have the right to protest, and express our concerns without the threat of retaliation. 

I know many of us get all fired up about the stupidity that we see coming from some of our leaders in Washington, but at least we have the freedom to make our views known publicly.

I am most thankful this season for our Lord. I feel so sorry for people today who celebrate Thanksgiving without the knowledge of knowing the Savior of the world. His sacrifice upon the cross provided such a gift for anyone who wishes to accept it. I am thankful for all the churches, and ministries who are trying their best to explain to people how gracious and wonderful His free gift of salvation really is, and it knows no bounds to it's mercy.

To me, thankfulness is not just a day, it's a lifestyle.  It's realizing that our lives are short, they are fragail and they are losing ground everyday to the aging proess.  I am thankful that there is more to life than the hear and now, and I hope your thanksgiving has a foundation of the security of faith in God. 

Happy Thanksgiving, I will see you next week.  I am taking a few days off to be thankful.

Keeping it honest and truthful....K