Be Think-ful

 

The people of the United States will celebrate a holiday this week:  Thanksgiving.   Thanksgiving first was a national holiday back in the 1860’s when President Abraham Lincoln declared the 4^th Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving.   That period in the 1860’s was a time similar to our time now.   Americans fought Americans, and brothers fought brothers in a time of civil war.   Despite that, President Lincoln was wise enough to see beyond the current state of affairs to realize that there was much to be thankful for. 

Many years ago, I heard the story of a young man who had a speech impediment.  I do not know the cause of his speech impediment, but am told that as he spoke to a family member one day he uttered the following:    “We…we…we…. Aaaalll…. Needddd… to… be… moooreee.. thiinnkful”.    Anotherwords,  “we all need to be more thankful”. 

It is easy for all of us to think we earned this or deserved that, or to believe that we are entitled to something.   Yet, think about it.    Really think  about it!     There are so many gifts and blessings we know regularly    I am certain that this is a busy week for many of you as you prepare to gather with family or friends… make plans to travel far or near… or prepare a meal or a dish for a thanksgiving gathering.   I encourage you as I encourage myself to THINK ABOUT IT.   Take time this week to look at your life in all its craziness or serenity and consider all the goodness you know.   And most of all, see in the midst of it all the certainty that so many of the blessings you know are ones that find their source in our living and loving God.   Happy Thanksgiving.   Have a joy-filled week.   -  Pastor Randy Wall

PRAYER --   Living and loving God, I want to say thank you for all the goodness that comes my way each day knowing that you are the one from whom all blessings flow.   Bless families and friends in their gatherings, and bless those who travel;  through Christ our Lord.   Amen.