What’s on course for Thanksgiving
With thanksgiving approaching, let the preparations have already begun. Making a list for the grocer, baking pies, setting up the Christmas tree and of course making your home inviting. Traditionally Thanksgiving is the beginning of the Holiday season. If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, you know all the work that comes with it. In addition to the main course there are activities for the brave at heart. Maybe you like playing charades or going outside and playing football. Or for a more intimate setting, playing board games and watching football live. What do you look forward to on Thanksgiving? However, Thanksgiving is more than indulging in a grand meal you have prepared.
And Thanksgiving is so much more. A long weekend shopping, catching up with friends, driving to the nearest Holiday light show may be a few ways to enjoy this Thanksgiving holiday. However, you choose to spend Thanksgiving weekend, and with whom, let’s not forget the true meaning of thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is also a time to give thanks for all the abundant blessings and people in our lives.
We live in a fast-paced world more so than when we were younger. So, it’s really no surprise on any given day, we may encounter a multitude of distractions that may cause us to feel anxious, fearful, and leave us feeling a sense of hopelessness when our attention is focused on what is wrong. Many times, we imagine things are worse than they are.
“The Apostle Paul best tells us to”
Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8 9 (NLT)
What are 10 things you are grateful for?
10 things I am thankful for
- The power of Jesus – His unconditional love – Grace – Forgiveness
- My adorable wife Gina
- My family and dear friends
- A home – and food to eat – some are not so fortunate
- All of you and your support is greatly appreciated
- My purpose
- a cozy bed to lay my weary body down at night
- My parents rest in peace
- My mentor and coach Katelyn
- Sylvie our tuxedo cat and entertainment
Read more devotionals about thanksgiving: https://thomasbrattonauthor.com/a-time-of-thankfulness/
I encourage you to take some time to sit quietly and count your blessings. Write them down in your journal. Give thanks to the Lord for all He has done for you and the blessings He continues to shine upon you and your loved ones. Every thanksgiving I reflect upon my blessings and have committed to writing in my journal a hundred things I am thankful for. I started doing this several years ago and since has helped me to be focused more upon gratitude. When I focus on my blessings I have learned there’s less to be anxious about and more to keeping a positive outlook with an “Attitude of Gratitude” and experience the peace beyond understanding that only comes from our Lord Jesus.
And be grateful, for this is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24
Need a journal, buy one for yourself and one for a gift
Living in harmony among others with love; be encouraging to those that need encouraging, take delight in honoring them. Being there for someone is one of the greatest gifts you can give to someone. When you express gratitude towards others and in your life, you’ll find less to be disappointed about. “Gratitude is the new attitude” How much better do you feel when people show appreciation for you, knowing your kindness and generosity are recognized.
Please treat people as you like to be treated.
The bible says in Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good, like good medicine. Think of happy thoughts and put joy into people’s lives. And you will keep your own spirits high.
Thanksgiving
Sometimes showing our gratitude and having a positive attitude is all about perspective. We can wake each morning with a positive outlook and be grateful for our health and families, and our jobs, but we are tired of the same dull routine and want something better and we slowly become miserable, and our happiness eludes us. Don’t let this be you!
Without being judgmental of others though I would like to point out how important it is to keep a positive outlook on things and keep things from the right perspective. Being grateful for what you have without worrying about what you don’t have, and to pray, hope that God will bless you with abundance, and he will if it is his will.
Pray with me:
Father in Heaven, I wake in the morning and give thanks to you, every day before laying my head down to rest I pray with thanksgiving for all you have blessed me with this day and every day. I pray with a thankful heart for all the people you have placed in my life and for the ones you have chosen to take a different path. Throughout the day I wonder upon all the greatness in the world and while the world Is not perfect, I pray for opportunities to share your blessings with thanksgiving. Thank you for a thankful heart in Jesus name, Amen…
