Hey friends, how are you today? How was your week? It’s been a good week in my neck of the woods.  We are just about six weeks away from Christmas! Can you believe it? Wow! Where did the time go? But before Christmas, there is November.  I love days when there is no snow on the ground. I love this time of the year when the yards are littered with fall leaves of all colors, shapes, and sizes. It’s absolutely beautiful, truly our God loves color.  

Perhaps because this month heralds Thanksgiving Day, the giving of thanks to our God is usually more prominent in our lives, not that we do our God a favor by giving Him thanks.  After all, it was not merely a suggestion.  But should we give thanks?

I don’t think saying thanks makes the Lord bigger, stronger, better in any way.  Neither does it endear us to Him any more than we are already.   Isn’t it upsetting when others take our generous nature as a given? God is not a man, like you and me who requires thanks from us to keep giving or loving. God already has and owns everything and everyone.  

So why then should we give thanks if it adds nothing to God’s stature? Thanksgiving must be intentional, to counter our complaints. I have found that there is very little room to whine and grumble when I tell the Lord how very thankful, I am for all that He has given me.  Taking the time to count my blessings is a sure to diminish my desire to focus on the things that are wrong in my world.  

1. We give thanks for our good! Giving thanks helps us to look back, to take stock, to compare (not against each other, but where we are today against where we were yesterday).  

2. It allows us to evaluate our lives and its direction; helps us to realize that despite the severity of our life today, it could always be worse.  

3. When we give thanks, we starve depression of its hold on us.  We make our days glad, and we allow those around us to find joy in life.

4. We give and in return receive hope when we say, “thank You”, because we know better days will come in the morning.  

5. When we say “thank You” we allow ourselves to breathe and find joy and beauty in our present circumstances. 

6. We are reminded we are not alone; not only are there others like us, perhaps with similar issues, but there is also the presence of the God of the universe. 

7. We are reassured of the goodness and greatness and mercy and grace of God.  We are reminded of His faithfulness and His strength.  

8. Our foundation in Him is reinforced, when we say, “thank You”.  We have a testimony to share with our words, because we are aware that others need hope too.  We learn to rest and take comfort in the promises of God, which frees us to ease the heart of others. 

So today, take the time to give thanks.  Intentionally reflect on your blessings, whatever they may be, say ‘thank you’.  Say “thank you” despite the circumstances and because of the circumstances.  Remember our God is bigger than all the mountains combined, deeper than all the valleys and He is greater than the sum of all our problems.  

What are you thankful for, today? 

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