Thanksgiving
In my newsletter this week, I would like to talk about the word “Thanksgiving”. As we just finished up the Thanksgiving holiday with our family and friends, there are so many things to be thankful for this year. What are some of the things that you would say that you are thankful for in 2023? For me, I would have to say I am thankful for my church home, for my family, for the companies and employees that I get to serve. Last, I am thankful for the lives that have been changed this year. These things all bring joy to my heart and I treasure each one of them. Even when my day has not gone quite how I thought it should go, I can always look past the obstacles and find a blessing in each day. So, what does it mean to give thanks? Pastor Pondering states: “Thanksgiving is about taking inventory of your life and itemizing the various benefits given by God.”
Freedictionary.com says: “To give thanks means to express gratitude or show appreciation to”. The idea seems simple and one I would suggest. Why, because it comes with many advantages when we act with a thankful heart. Did you know when people are thankful it can transform their lives as well as those around them? Being thankful has various benefits that help people become healthier and stronger both physically and emotionally. Some of these benefits include: a change in the mindset when facing adversity, a change in the way we view the world. Being thankful also helps decreases stress, depression and anxiety and produces a better quality of sleep. In addition, being thankful strengthens relationships and creates a mutual respect among others as well as deepens believers’ faith. A great quote from William Arthur Ward states: “Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” I don’t know about you, but I would rather find something to be thankful for rather than looking for what’s wrong in people and the workplace. Being thankful can sometimes be difficult, but if we search long enough, we will be blessed. Life is too short to focus on the negative all the time, let’s try and be thankful and build up the kingdom rather than trying to tear it down. Will you join me in seeing the glass half full? You won’t go wrong
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1Thess. 5:18
Chaplain Tracey Burns
Reflection Questions:
Are you one who likes to complain all the time, or is it easy to be thankful?
When you end your day, will you commit to reflect on 3 blessings you received during the day?
How can you demonstrate to others the importance of being grateful/thankful?
Bonus: Great song (if you are interested) - When you are thankful, do you say “Thank You Lord”