We have many things for which to be thankful this year. Many of us can spend time with friends and family. We live in a state where we can actually celebrate a day of thanks to the Lord for our bountiful blessings.
What does Thanksgiving mean to you and your family? My mother would put popcorn kernels at every place setting and we were asked to share what we were thankful for. We started with two kernels and worked up to five. It was difficult to figure out which five things were most important in an entire year, since there were so many to choose from.
My relationship with the Lord would be first on my list. He redeemed me from my sins and has given me the gift of eternal life.
Family would be second on my list. Our family is getting smaller as the years go on, so each year becomes more special as we don't know who may or may not be with us next year.
This is something we all face, so we need to make time to be with our families so we don't have regrets about the time we spent with them.
I am very thankful for my wonderful husband, Jim. He is a hard worker and provides for our family. He is kind and patient, not only with me, but with my entire family.
Our church family is also important. These are the people with whom we will spend eternity in heaven. I am thankful for the written Scripture, the fact that I can read the Bible for myself.
I am also thankful for my precious pets, my darling collie and my sweet kitty cats. They make our lives so much more enjoyable by providing companionship and love.
I am also very thankful for the gift of music; I so enjoy listening to different pieces of music as I work. I thank the Lord that He gave me a voice that can sing His praises.
Friends who love us the way we are, even when we are cranky, are certainly a blessing in this life. Are you a friend that loves unconditionally? Do you have friends that love you unconditionally? I am thankful for my friends. They care about me, even when I am stressed, overworked and perhaps not very lovable at times.
Our freedom and the fact we can move about and worship freely are a blessing.
We have many things in our lives for which to be thankful. Count your blessings and see the wondrous joy you have in your life.
This Thanksgiving, let's not forget to thank our Creator for His blessings to us. II Corinthians 9:15 states, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift." Psalm 100:4 states, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His Name."
Have a happy and joyous Thanksgiving!
Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, 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: HAPPENINGS: There are many things to be thankful for