Thursday, November 5, 2015

Dear God,

Thanksgiving, a holiday or a lifestyle?  When we celebrate a day of Thanksgiving, we often forget that every day is a day to give thanks, to express gratitude, and to offer up to you our appreciation.  We function as if Thanksgiving is just one day.

But, Lord, you remind us to be thankful people.  You invite us to consider our blessings, not the ones that are material but the ones that develop in the heart, mind, and soul, blessings like hope, peace, contentment, wisdom, courage, strength, faith, mercy, and many, many more.  When we awaken at the beginning of each day, it is a valuable exercise to reflect upon these invisible and visible gifts.  If we awaken with hope, is it not a great day for thanksgiving?  If we awaken with peace, is it not a grand time to express gratitude?  When we awaken with faith, is it not a miraculous time to celebrate and give praise?

You have shown us how living with thankful hearts can bless us and those around us.  Living with thanksgiving like DNA makes us more generous, more loving, and more caring.  We are happier and more content.  We are more positive and understanding.  We blossom and grow in faith and share more with others.  We live differently when we are thankful than when we are not.

Teach us holiness,
O Lord,
because in
being holy,
we become
more thankful.
We know
the source
of our hope,
our joy,
and our peace.
When we
raise our voices
in thanksgiving
we change
our world.
Bless you,
Gracious God,
for all
our blessings
and our ability
to be thankful.

Love always, Andrea