I know Thanksgiving Day is right around the corner. In a couple of days we’ll be sitting around with family and friends watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade or football- sitting around the dinner table with a stuffed bird along with plenty of other food. But how often do we really take the time to sit and reflect on those things that we are thankful for? How easy is it for us to go through the ups and downs and busyness of the day and forget to acknowledge that which we should be thankful for?
Life has not been perfect. Things didn’t always work out the way I planned or wished them to. I didn’t and still don’t get everything I want when I want it. I have had some loses that caused my heart to break. But you know what? I have so much to be thankful for. I have wonderful family and friends in my life. I’m thankful for parents and siblings that I actually get along with and whose company I honestly enjoy. I’m thankful that my parents never took back the house keys 
.
What else am I thankful for? I can breathe. I can see the sunrise as well as see the moon in the night sky. I have the ability to feel and touch. I have a mind that thinks. I can move. I can hear the sound of the abundance of rain. I have clothes. I have a vehicle and I can drive (despite what my brothers say!). I have a comfortable place to lay my head at night. I can speak and communicate. I can own property. I can pick up the phone and call someone at any given time of day. I can enjoy the beauty of music. I have a job. I live in a country where I am not confined to one particular space. I have skills that are useful and needed. I have running water and electricity. I have an education. I can go and open up the fridge and find food to eat. I can worship God. I have salvation through Christ! Oh, I’m thankful!
I know we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. But I want to Challenge you to have a Thanksgiving Life! Take time- find time each day to be thankful for what God has done for you, given you and brought you through. Write it down if you have to so when life challenges come and attempt to overwhelm you with discouragement or regrets, you’ll have something to look back on and be reminded that God is good and that you have every reason to be thankful. Have a mindset of thanksgiving. Keep an attitude of gratitude toward God. If you do, you’ll discover that life will be so much more enjoyable.
As I end, I’d like to thank God for YOU! I am thankful for each of you who stop by and share in my thoughts. I’m thankful for the impact and contribution that you make in my life. I’m thankful for those of you who have shared in my laughter, my grief, my happiness and in my struggles. I’m thankful for those of you who encourage me to be better. I’m thankful for those of you who have stretched me and who continue to stretch me beyond what I thought was possible. Thank you for sharing in and believing in my dreams and for being a part of my world!
Until next time, Stay encouraged, stay prayerful and stay in God’s Presence!
Wendy M. Reynolds
Psalm 107:8
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
Psalm 106:1
Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Psalm 105:1
Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
