{Be Successful} Give Thanks

This week I made my annual shopping trip to get Thanksgiving cards for our families. I walked up to the display in two major stores and had to search for the Thanksgiving section. It was pitiful. I think I’ve seen graduation sections larger than these. I started reading through cards in an attempt to find the perfect ones. What I found was discouraging.

Most of the cards were about ‘Turkey Day’ or ‘Thanksgiving: the day to eat til you’re stuffed’ or ‘Toasting the Thanksgiving bird’. Easily less than 10% of the already slim pickings were about Thanksgiving. Giving thanks. Taking the time to reflect on the blessings in your life. It made me sad.

As we enter this week, let us be mindful about what this holiday is about. Thanksgiving. Thanks – GIVE – ing. Give is a verb. An action word. It is one thing to be thankful, it is something totally different to give thanks.

Psalm 100, ESV:

“A psalm for giving thanks.

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

Serve the LORD with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the LORD, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with THANKSGIVING, and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Have you given thanks for all the blessings in your life? Have you expressed gratitude to your parents, friends, and even the random strangers in your world who have made an impact on you? Most importantly, have you given thanks to the ONE who gave you life? The one who gave HIS life so that we can live in glorious relationship with our Heavenly Father. Even if you find yourself in a less-than-enjoyable season, there is always something to be thankful for!

I pray that each of you are able to see the surrounding beauty in your world. It is impossible to escape the reach of God. Wherever you find yourself, He is there.

May each of you experience His love and affection in fresh ways this week as you turn your heart toward giving thanks.