Thanksgiving

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving I wanted to spend some time thinking about the Holiday.

First off Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. I adore the entire concept of taking time out to consciously think about all we have to be thankful for and to celebrate the time together with friends and family. I like the way there are so many worthy opportunities to give to others at Thanksgiving through groups such as the local rescue missions.

About a year ago I found a great resource for assisting myself and my family with understanding the historical roots of Thanksgiving in America. It's an audio book, Thanksgiving a time to Remember, by Barbara Rainey. It's a dramatized presentation of the story of the pilgrims. The author has researched and found some journals and facts and put together a recounting of what the pilgrims went through leading up to Thanksgiving. It's moving and inspirational. It's great to listen to while preparations are being made for the meal or in the car during the drive to friends or family.

Here's a wonderful Thanksgiving type scripture passage that is one of my favorites. It's taken from 1 Chronicles 16:8-12 (The Message):

Thank God! Call out his Name!
Tell the whole world who he is and what he's done!
Sing to him! Play songs for him!
Broadcast all his wonders!
Revel in his holy Name,
God-seekers, be jubilant!
Study God and his strength,
seek his presence day and night;
Remember all the wonders he performed,
the miracles and judgments that came out of his mouth.


I want to take some time right now to simply list out some of the many things for which I am so grateful:

The greatest deal of all that I ever made - God gave me Jesus' holiness and He took my sin

God's patience with me

My husband - we found each other much later in life and I'm so grateful that we did

Each of my sons - they are incredible people

My health

My beautiful home here in the mountains

The hills & mountains behind my home that I can just go out my back door and hike

My young dog and hiking buddy that we got from the animal shelter last year

Recent opportunity to spend some time with old friends

Great neighbors

Our local church and the unique ministry and people there

New friends I am making

Free blogging

The fact that we always have enough money for all our needs

The Message version bible that I was given last year and am enjoying so much

The beautiful fall colors all around me

That my oldest son will be home for Thanksgiving!

I think it would be fun to compile the Thanksgiving lists of lots of people. Please write your list here of what you're thinking about being thankful for this Thanksgiving. What's your thankful for at Thanksgiving list?