Thanksgiving 2023

                                                         

 

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face, giving Him thanks.” Luke 17:15-16a”

 

Ten lepers were healed by Jesus. Only one went back and thanked Him. Where were the other nine? The lives of all ten were radically changed. From leprosy to health. From no hope to abundant hopefulness. Perhaps the other nine were so busy with their new lives that they didn’t have time to say thank you. 

 

So often, I am like the nine.  God showers me with blessings every day. So often I don’t take time to thank Him.

 

Let’s make an effort during the month of November to thank God for His many gifts. I challenge each of us to make a gratitude list. Every day write down 5 things that we are thankful for. Then thank God for each gift.  

 

There are so many things to thank Him for. A new day of life. A beautiful sunrise. Flowers. Birds. Friends. Family. Food. Shelter. The list goes on and on. 

 

Who will join me in the Thanksgiving challenge? Let’s make this November the most thankful one yet. And as we sit down for our dinner on Thanksgiving Day may our hearts overflow with gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Morning and Evening

                                                         

 

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness at night.” Psalm 92:1-2

 

What are your first thoughts in the morning? What are your last thoughts at night?  

 

Recently, I read Psalm 92 and was introduced to a psalmist who had very specific first and last thoughts. In the morning, the psalmist declared the “lovingkindness” of the Lord. In the evening, he declared God’s “faithfulness”.

 

I have challenged myself to begin each day a simple prayer: “Thank you, Lord, for a new day of life. Thank for loving me.”  We don’t know what the day holds. But we do know that God loves us and will be with us each step of the day.

 

As evening approaches, I am challenged to remember the ways in which God has been faithful to me that day. Lying in bed, I thank Him, one by one, for His acts of faithfulness. 

 

God is loving. God is kind. God is faithful.  We all know that. But so often we forget. Let’s begin the habit of thanking Him for His lovingkindness each morning and for His faithfulness each night.