As we prepare for Thanksgiving on Thursday this week, let’s take a moment to truly focus on gratitude.  In doing so, we bring many benefits to our lives and those around us.  It’s been proven that gratitude will boost your mental health and sense of well being.  It provides hope and more satisfaction in our daily lives.

A popular thing every year on Facebook is where you state every day up until Thanksgiving what you are thankful for.  I participated in years past, and the memories pop up in Facebook to remind me of the beautiful blessings I have had.  We truly have so much to be thankful and grateful for in this life.  It’s a shame we only think to “give thanks” and be truly “grateful” or have a “heart of gratitude” during the month of November.

The world seems to scream at you daily how unimportant you are to many.  With people blowing the horn at you when you are driving down the road minding your own business, they shake their fists at you as they drive by.  For what?  When you’re doing the speed limit, haven’t pulled out in front of anyone, and didn’t do any illegal lane changes, they are so full of themselves to think they can blare their horn at you.  So, what do you do?  You thank GOD you aren’t them!  Further, you thank God that you don’t behave in this fashion.  AND most importantly, you smile, wave, and pray for them so they will hopefully be kinder to others they cross paths with.

Seriously, as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, please take time to really express your gratitude to God for bringing you this far in life.  He continues to walk with you daily and provides for you and your family.  Nothing you have is because of yourself.  It is all because of God and how He works in your life.  He is worthy to be praised.

Let’s take time to express with ourselves and our families what we are truly thankful for this holiday season.  One way my family and I do this is by going around the dinner table when we say the blessing before the meal. Each one of us takes a few moments to say what is on our hearts.  It’s something that may make some feel awkward and uncomfortable if they aren’t used to praying out loud in front of others.  Others delight in having their opportunity to speak and share their hearts. If this practice is new to you, experiment with it with your own family this holiday season.  Even if you choose to only speak in private, please give thanks to God for all of your many blessings, as we have so much to be thankful for.  Even in dark and bleak times when the world seems to have gone crazy with worrying about viruses, cost of living going up without our paychecks increasing as well, or the price of gas, groceries, and a variety of other things.  Even still, we have so much to be thankful for.  Take time and be intentional as you list your blessings and give thanks to God with a truly grateful heart.

May God bless and keep you and your family this holiday season and beyond.