Our pastor did the coolest thing. She asked us a week ago to write down on a notecard what we were thankful for. Yesterday she had a printout of the entire collection of what 50+ churchgoers had written down. It covered an entire page in 6 point type. It was fun to look through to find what others are thankful for. There were lots of names listed, special people that others were thankful for. Lots of homes and families mentioned and pleasantly a lot of jobs. Many mentioned the church and church family, specifically Bethel Grove. But mostly people were thankful for Jesus, our Savior, a personal relationship with Christ and for being saved by Jesus Christ.
When you take the time to write down all that you are thankful for you realize just how much we really have here in America and so much that we take for granted on most days. Running water, a shower, food in the cupboard, a refrigerator, fresh milk, shoes, tissues, clean water to drink, transportation at our fingertips, a cozy bed and pillow, automatic heat or coolness, windows, carpet or hardwood floors, communication by phone or email or Facebook, and so much more. So many people in the world don't have any of those things. That's humbling.
Even though Thanksgiving Day has passed for this year, the Advent season is upon us and our attitude should still be one of thanksgiving. For there is no greater gift that came to earth than Jesus Christ. Perhaps as a way to keep Christ in Christmas this year practice being thankful for one thing each day or list all you can think of each day. There is much to be thankful for and all of it comes through the Lord as blessings.
"And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 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" (Colossians 3:15b-17 NIV).
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