Thanksgiving is a remembrance of blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon our lives; gratitude for what He has given and all He has done for us.
The church hymn, "Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart" embodies this season.
I am grateful for these things and many more this Thanksgiving:
●Salvation through Jesus Christ
●The Bible
●A loving, kind husband
●Family and friends
●A warm home, with plenty of food and water
●Freedom to worship the way we desire
●This beautiful world
●Loving pets and animals
●Health and medical care
●Jobs that support us
●Military that protects us
●Police, deputies, firefighters and EMTs
●Electronic devices that allow me to stay in touch with my family in California
●A reliable vehicle
Of course, the list could go on and on; we are so blessed.
Psalm 100:4 says, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His name."
Since we have so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving, why not write a list of 10 things for which you are thankful?
Take the time to thank those who help you at church, school, stores, restaurants and other places that you frequent.
Everyone, including the pastor, teacher, janitor and cashier, loves to hear "thank you."
Even better, sit down and write an old-fashioned thank-you note to someone who has touched your life in a special way. Mail it to them, and you will bless their life in an unexpected way.
Gratitude is missing in so many people's hearts these days. Let's all be grateful, not grumpy, and act gracious throughout the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Janice Lynn Crose lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: What's on your Thanksgiving list?