KBRUMWRITES

In approximately five weeks, we will celebrate Thanksgiving, a day to reflect on our thankfulness. Everyone may say, “Thank you,” when offered a gift or provided a service, but that can become habitual or something we say because we’re supposed to. We often say thank you without considering being thankful, but sometimes it may be warranted. For example, when someone holds a door for me, I say, “Thank you.” Am I truly thankful that person was there to hold the door for me or am I just being polite? I could have opened the door myself, so my reply is just a polite response to their courteous act of holding the door for me.

At some time during the year, we may receive a gift that we have absolutely no use for, and we say, “Thank you.” In these cases, I am more thankful for the heart of the individual that gave the gift. They may have not known what I needed, but they wanted to provide something, so I am thankful for their intent. They used their time and/or treasure to offer a kind gesture.

This Thanksgiving, be intentionally thankful for someone or something in your life. We can let ourselves get caught up into looking at the better fortunes of those around us, wondering why we don’t have these “nice” things, so we start a list of things we wish we had. Instead, make a list of good things you have and special people in your life, things and people which you can be truly thankful for.

As a Christian, make a list of things God has done in your life. Consider this, if God has done nothing for you but save your soul, you already have more than you will ever deserve, that makes everything else a bonus. God is not necessarily a provider of wants, though He does at times, but a provider of needs, and mankind’s greatest need is salvation. So, if you get stuck on your list of things to be thankful for, make the first item on the list, “I’m not going to hell,” and nothing else will really matter.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV) In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.