As we approach the Thanksgiving holidays, my mind drifts back to holidays long ago. When I was a little girl, I don’t think I really understood what the Thanksgiving holiday really meant. Of course, there were long-standing traditions associated with it; watching the Macy’s parade in my pajamas with my daddy; helping Momma stir the raisins into her jam cake; watching the homemade rolls rise; cleaning out pumpkin “guts” for pumpkin pies; packing everything up and heading up the road to my grandparent’s house; games and laughs with my cousins; a table filled with scores of vegetables, meats, and desserts; my grandmother’s signature depression glass tea pitcher.
All of these memories are so vivid in my mind today, decades later. The sights, the sounds, the smells are somehow embedded in my memory. As a child or adolescent though I don’t think that I really understood the importance of giving thanks -- everyday, let alone on that one assigned day each year.
Hindsight is often 20/20, and when we look in that rear view mirror of life, we are often filled with so many regrets. So many -- “what ifs,” or “if only’s” from our past.
Giving thanks for my family. Giving thanks for a husband that cares for me and loves me unconditionally. Giving thanks for the blessing of three wonderful children. Giving thanks for my health. Giving thanks for my friends. Giving thanks for life; for the freedoms that I enjoy; for the grace given to me for the mistakes that I have made in life. These are things that truly bring “giving thanks” into a clearer view for me today, as an adult.
So, as we come into the season of thankfulness for 2020, I encourage you to count your blessings. This year has shown us so many negative things, but we can use 2020 as a springboard to show us the importance of every gift we have in this life. We can look at the “glass half full” rather than seeing it half empty. We can look at its challenges as opportunities to show others the importance of giving thanks.
In Philippians 4:11, the apostle Paul stated that he had learned to be content regardless of circumstances. I would think that he also counted his blessings regardless of situations and circumstances. So, that’s what I am going to do. I give thanks for the blessings of today. I hope you will too.
