Attitude of Gratitude
Enjoying a Thanksgiving meal with family.
Every year excitement can be felt as Thanksgiving Day approaches, building until the day families get together for food, fun and fellowship, thankful to be together once more.This year our extended family met at my sister-in-law, Hope Cline’s house, with about sixteen in attendance.
Even though we had sixteen in attendance, we still felt a void because of loved ones who were no longer with us. Hope suggested lighting a candle for each family member who had passed away, including my husband, Michael. When it was my turn, daughters, Kristin and Kelly helped light the candle in memory of their dad.
Afterwards, Hope’s husband, Joey, said a prayer and then it was time for food and fellowship. The country home Hope and Joey restored in Davie County, NC was a perfect place for a Thanksgiving meal. As we ate turkey, stuffing, home made yeast rolls and a multiple of vegetables, it somehow seemed fitting to look out the window and see chickens and goats enjoying their own feast of feed and seed on property known as Miracle Farm. Later, the older kids and grandkids enjoyed an afternoon of roaming the fields and woods, probably like children did years ago at the first Thanksgiving feast.
While Thanksgiving Day is a time of reflection and expression of gratitude for blessings, a friend of mine, Garrett White shared how this past year he started writing down one thing he was thankful for each day in a journal. He said, “As I look back over the year and see the long list of things I’ve written down, it’s amazing how even when I struggled to find one blessing it was the seemingly small things that really added up to make a great life!”
With permission to share his thoughts, here are a few of his entries:
-A library full of books and the ability to read, learn and grow from them.
-The opportunity to learn from mistakes.
-Unanswered prayers and God’s perfect timing.
-A family full of women who are great cooks.
-Hugging dad after a successful turkey hunt.
-Friday lunches at What a Burger with mama and sis.
By keeping a gratitude journal this year, Garrett made an interesting discovery. He said, “Keeping a Thanksgiving Journal has taught me not only there is always something to be grateful for, but it has also served as a constant reminder circumstances don’t determine your attitude-you determine your attitude.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 … Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (King James Version)
Is Thanksgiving Day a once a year occurrence for you or do you have an attitude of gratitude everyday? In what ways do you show gratitude? Share your thoughts below, message on Facebook or email dicysm@yahoo.com.
Thanks,
Dicy
www.dicymcculloughbooks.com/blog
