It is Thanksgiving week! This is a time when most people in our nation take a moment or two to reflect on the things in their lives they are grateful for. I’ll admit, some seasons in life make our blessings far more evident than others, but there will always be something we can be thankful for. Together, let’s consider a few areas in our lives where blessings can be found and give THANKS:
Time God has given us – If you have ever grieved the loss of a friend, family member, or loved one of any kind, you know full well that time is a precious commodity. Not only can we be grateful for the hours we spend on this beautiful earth, but for the quality of time we get to spend with the ones we love. Every moment we spend loving others and being loved is a gift!
Happiness in every form – So many things can make us happy! The sun’s warm rays on our skin, the smell of the air after it rains, the soft kiss of someone we love, the sound of children laughing, pretty much anything made from chocolate… the list is endless! When we take our eyes off of the things that frustrate us and look instead to the things that make us happy, our hearts lighten, our pulse quickens, and we find peace.
Ability to serve and care for others – While we may enjoy being the recipient of someone’s time and talent, it means so much to serve others! We have all been blessed with specific giftedness that we can use to bless others. Not only does it allow us to love others well, but we are also consistently blessed in return.
New beginnings – I don’t know about you, but I don’t always like change. In fact, I would typically avoid it if given a choice. But every once in a while, we receive a new beginning that is just what we need! If we’ve been made new through Christ, why wouldn’t we think our situations wouldn’t need some new beginnings as well? We can choose to embrace change!
Know and being known – We are designed for relationship. It’s who we were meant to be! When we have a small tribe of people whom we invest in and allow them to truly know us as well, we get the privilege of doing life together. We thrive when surrounded by people who help us grow.
Small gestures of kindness – I read somewhere recently that love isn’t found in grand displays but in the small gestures. Being thoughtful. Being intentional. Being aware. Truly caring about how someone feels. All of these small gestures show much deeper love than a large display ever can.
There is never a shortage of things we can give THANKS for. And if we live in an attitude of gratitude, being aware of the blessings around us often, we too can be someone others give thanks for!
Be blessed!
Jennifer
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1