This morning while driving to the coffee shop, an odd noise outside caused me to worry, “What did I leave on top the car now?” I hadn’t, but it came to mind the time when I had left house keys on the roof as I left a house sitting client and drove to my regular job. Those keys actually stayed on top the car during the entire 45-minute, heavy traffic commute. Regrettably I didn’t give immediate credit to God for that miracle; it was only today, Thanksgiving Day, that I realized the reason wasn’t a mystery.
This past weekend my pastor(1) gave a sermon on learning to live thankfully. He began with Thanksgiving being a time for relationships.
Perhaps if my relationship with God had been better, I would have immediately realized that those keys stayed on the roof because of Him. Each day we should spend on building upon our relationship with Him. Of course, our relationships with others is important. Godly families are a hallmark of our faith, and friends are a tremendous blessing from Him. I wrote in my own notes from the message that everyone – friends, family, employees, etc — needs to rejoice to show our gratitude.
A day for remembering and reflecting
Dr. Jeremiah next stated that this is a day for remembering, then a day for reflecting. Psalm 68:19 says:
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Whenever you are sad, think of the opposite. As a personal example of putting this into practice, a couple of days later I was at my car, heating up water to make oatmeal(2), starting to feel sad at my situation in life, and thinking that for the last few years I have been alone at Christmas. I envisioned cooking my Christmas meal on my one-burner camp stove. But then I remembered how loving and wonderful God is. I looked at the sunrise and told myself, “The chances of my being up at this hour if I wasn’t living like this are pretty slim; I wouldn’t be looking at God’s glorious artwork.” Remember how glorious God is and how much He loves you. He is always there.
God commanded His people in Leviticus 23:42 to reflect upon their blessings and be thankful. Abraham Lincoln made the official proclamation in 1865 that the third Thursday of November should be observed as a time of prayerful celebration. Reflect upon all that He has done for you and continues to do.
Rejoice!
God wants us to have joy in our hearts. That is one way we show gratitude to Him. Psalm 105 begins with singing and rejoicing, as do chapters 106 and 107. Psalm 105:2-3 has me envisioning David and the people singing and dancing in joy to our creator!
Responding to God
Rejoicing is one way we respond. Being silent doesn’t fully show our gratitude. We need to declare His glory, to speak of His blessings and love, and to express gratitude in our daily lives. Also in my personal notes, I wrote that we need to respond by teaching children to be thankful. Psalm 145:4 says that “One generation shall praise Your works to another.”
Reach Out
Today as you gather with friends and family, think of who might be alone today. Would they appreciate a last minute invitation? Is someone else hosting the dinner you are attending? Show gratitude by contributing to the dinner, help with preparation and/or cleanup; write a thank you note to them later. If you are the one hosting, send a thank you note for attending. Thank you notes, and any letter writing, is an art that needs to be revived. It is the art of gratitude.
Hmmm . . . . reach out to God, and write (or say) a thank you note to Him! I am starting my own tradition this year; this is a time to thank Him for all He has done and will do, and for the upcoming Christmas season I dedicate to preparing and rejoicing in Jesus’ birth!
Love you all – Happy Thanksgiving!
Shelter Island, San Diego © Gail Ballard
A few things I am thankful for today:
- dinner at Lorraine’s house today
- It rained a little last night.
- dogs met at the coffee shop
- Corky, Karen, Deb
- My 2001 Civic is working well
- God has put me on the path to moving out of California.
- When I spilled my coffee, I didn’t dump all of it.
- Cheerful colors of the season
- Hilary, Sian, and Bryan
- my love for plants and God’s creations
- Was able to see Karen S after last seeing her 18 years ago . . .
- . . . and beautiful weather when she was in town
- I am on path to improved health.
(1) http://www.shadowmountain.org/default.aspx?page=3719; Dr. David Jeremiah
(2) I have been living out of my car since 2017. I believe I am serving a mission during this adventure He has put me on.
Grace Notes -- a thankfulness blog 