I was thinking back to the “First
Thanksgiving” and how it came from those who had plenty sharing with those who
were desperately in need. It was characterized because of giving- the giving gave lots to be thankful for. I know my
Thanksgiving (and I am sure lots of
other peoples) is usually more concerned about what food is going to be made
and eaten. How much more thankful were
the pilgrims, receiving food they had not expected and were in great need of,
as well as the Native Americans who were able to share and bless others out of
the blessings of food they had.
It is cool that Thanksgiving is made from two
words- thanks and giving. There would
not have been a first Thanksgiving without the giving. I have seen a lot of people mastering the
“thanks” part this year- but not so much has been said about the giving. Thanksgiving is equal parts thanks and
giving… I know that this has challenged me to want to make my holidays more
about the giving part because I have lots to be thankful for!
And its not that I am unthankful for things
every other day of the year, but Thanksgiving is a nice time to sit back and
reflect on the things to be thankful for in the big picture…
1.
In the midst of realizing how
inconsistent I am with tendencies to be motivated by sleep or emotions or
things that taste good- I am so thankful
for God’s consistency. In a world
where everything keeps changing- few things last- curveballs are flying left
& right- and there is a “latest and greatest” coming out every week I am
thankful that He is ALWAYS there and constant- especially when I am not. He hasn’t changed since the beginning of time
as we know it.
2.
I am thankful for health and the education & skill of
doctors. After tearing my ACL and
breaking my finger on the same day… going to lots of doctors… having surgery…
wearing splints… and going through physical therapy I am very much so
appreciative of God’s design in my body’s capabilities to heal- and the skills
and wonders of technology to help fix us.
3.
I have a growing soft spot the
older I get for animals. I am especially
thankful for my sweet dog and they way
she sleeps. I love when dogs curl up
in little balls to sleep. It makes me smile.
(I wish I looked that cute when I slept!)
4.
With my grandmother passing away
this year- I am so thankful for her life
and legacy. She raised two steadfast
daughters and left an amazing legacy in her grandchildren to be hard workers
and to live a blameless, upright and honest life… to be committed and live a
life of prayer and service.
5.
I am still working through the
backside of this one, but I have had a lot of friends get married this
year. I am very excited and thankful for the lives they are beginning
together! I am working on being more
thankful as I realize it completely changes the dynamics of hanging out with
them (my selfish care).
6.
I have a growing thankfulness for
order. So often I live in a state of chaos running
around and making things happen on the fly.
They get done of course- but I am realizing how much I love the peace
and the calmness that comes when I can think through some more things ahead of
time (always being ready to chuck those plans out the window as life throws
changes).
7.
Work- I am definitely thankful to have a job that I enjoy,
where I can be challenged to grow and I have great coworkers.
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