Four Steps of Thankfulness

The week of Thanksgiving has arrived and as we approach Thanksgiving Day, between the thawing of the turkey, the baking of pumpkin pies, the setting of tables, and the stirring of gravy, we need to schedule some time to contemplate our thankfulness.

My Life Application Study Bible offers four "Elements of Thanksgiving" that I'd like to share in this blog. "1. Remembering what God has done, 2. Telling others about it, 3. Showing God's glory to others, and 4. Offering gifts of self, time, and resources". Thanksgiving Day can be a perfect example of these steps.

1. What has happened in 2017 that you are grateful for?
    John, my husband, retired! What a blessing that has been. We had time for our granddaughters' basketball games, and a drive to Oklahoma to pick up a sheep. We were able to babysit for Piper and Graham a little more often and enjoyed Payton playing the flute in band, the violin in orchestra, and Bailey playing her cello, and Piper dancing in her first recital. Calvin showed the Grand Champion sheep in Central City and there were many more shows to follow. Paige graduated from Ogden High School and she has nearly completed her first semester at Iowa Central Community College. There was a Springer reunion, and the Boone County Fair. Then the Polk County Fair and on to the Iowa State Fair. The grandchildren excelled in our eyes. We visited a new church and joined the Lakeside Fellowship Starting Point group, and their Bible studies and Growth Groups; gaining new friends and Bible knowledge that keeps growing. There was a vacation to Hilton Head, South Carolina and Savana, Georgia. We enjoyed learning about rodeo in North Platte, NE, then more in Fort Dodge and at Iowa State as we proudly watched our granddaughter Paige compete. We found a new doctor in Ankeny, and have successfully passed all the old age tests, so far. That is just a scratch on the surface of a great year of blessings. There are so many more I could share.

2.  I told you about the top things I am thankful for above.

3.  I'm so thankful that God has allowed us to share another year with our family. We thank God for the gift of time to visit with friends and family; to play the Snoopy Dog House game with Piper; to go bowling with Graham; to experience the wonderful way our grandchildren are growing up with talents and good health. Thank you God for allowing us these gifts of joy. We give you the glory for all of these blessings, for we know they all come from You.

4.  Finally, we are able to share our gifts when John helps set up for church and I help with childcare; I can cook up lamb and turkey, potatoes and gravy, and home-frozen corn, and pumpkin pies for our family gathering; and occasional ham balls, pies, cookies, and cakes for those in need. John helps Brady with chores to try and lighten his load, or when he is away. I give blood as often as I am able. We can babysit so family members get a break, and I write letters, and blogs, hoping to bring joy or comfort, and love to those I care about.

Perhaps you can walk through these four steps of thankfulness this week. May you realize just how blessed your life is and that all of your gifts come from God.

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done...Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced...Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens...Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever," (1 Chronicles 16:8, 12, 23-26, 34 NIV).

Amen.