In just a few short weeks, most will be preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday. My prayer is that everyone will have a wonderful Thanksgiving this year!!! If you are like me, you will gather around the dinner table with a rich spread of delightful dishes. You’ll stuff yourself until your tummy aches and won’t feel bad about it – after all it’s Thanksgiving!!! Surrounded by family, food, and fun, you’ll look around and know that you are blessed.

When the special day is over, we will all get back to our daily responsibilities and workflow. Often, we are inclined to dread this transition of leaving relatives and friends to return to the grind of life. Not only that, gravitation toward murmuring and complaining about the people we love and the long to-do list, often shows up after the short break. Consequently, scripture challenges us to be joyful and thankful daily. Here’s a few of those verses:

• “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
• “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)
• “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” (Philippians 2:14)

• “Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.” (Colossians 2:7)
• “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

What if we decided to expand the true meaning of Thanksgiving from just one day into a way of life. What if we focused on “Thanks-Living?” Instead of waiting for the big festivity, we can live a little of the spirit of Thanksgiving on a regular basis.  Joyfulness and thanks-living is a choice.  Our attention can zero in on losses, disappointments, and setbacks especially in this 2020 year, or we can meditate on the goodness of the Lord and how blessed we truly are. The prophet Habakkuk exclaims, “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

 PRAY THIS PRAYER: 

“Lord, you are good and your steadfast love endures forever. Forgive me for complaining instead of being thankful for what you have already done for me and what you are doing in my life. Lord, I don’t want to take anything for granted, because it could always be worse. When I get discouraged or sad – strengthen me. Fill me with joy and peace. Help me to fix my thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.  Lord, remind me to think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. In Jesus’ name – Amen