Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s my hope you’re having a great holiday with your family and friends, and that you enjoy a lot of food and a lot of naps.

This is a perfect time of year to sit back and reflect on the blessings we have. Taking time for this is therapeutic because it brings into focus the goodness of God, and that lifts our hearts, our thoughts, our attitude, and our outlook.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬

But this is easier said than done because our pace can hinder us from reflecting and being thankful. We go from one thing to another without taking in what’s going on or processing how we feel.

Because of this, I’m determined to be thankful, for everything.

So, what does this mean?

I’ve noticed that my pace often causes me to be annoyed or overlook the small things and only focus on the next big thing I have to do. This is not the best way to operate because I’m learning that it’s the small things that speak to the big things.

For example,

• I’m thankful that my kid’s rooms are not always clean because it means my kids are living in them.
• I’m thankful my kitchen isn’t always perfect because that means it’s being used and we’re eating together as a family.
• I’m thankful that I don’t have everything I want when I want it because that helps me develop patience and thankfulness for what I have.
• I’m thankful Sumer and I argue because that means we’re actually talking and loving each other.
• I’m thankful all my issues aren’t fixed yet because it reminds me I still need more of Jesus.
• I’m thankful for the pain I’ve experienced because it’s taught me empathy.
• I’m thankful I have a recording of my grandfather praying over me
  because I listen to it weekly.
• I’m thankful for the challenging emotions I feel because that means I’m alive to feel them.

When I’ve experienced loss in Jesus I’m thankful to be able to grieve with the hope that I’ll see them again in eternity.

• I’m thankful for lines because it means people are going somewhere.
• I’m thankful for the process of achieving goals because I’m learning while getting there rather than just getting there.
• I’m thankful for the memories I have with those who are gone because that means I had the chance to know them.
• I’m thankful for pressure because it leads me to Jesus.
• I’m thankful for friends because they help me be better.
• I’m thankful for Starbucks because they have nitro cold brew.
• I’m thankful for Friday mornings because I have a date with Sumer.
• I’m thankful to be able to coach my boys in basketball because I know that they are growing up fast.
• I’m thankful to be able to wake my kids up and tuck them in because I still have time with them in my house.
• I’m thankful to be a Pastor because I found my purpose.
• I’m thankful that life is not perfect because how boring would it be if everything went just right?
• I’m thankful for everything.

How about you? What are you thankful for?

I encourage you on this holiday to think about the small things and maybe even the annoying things and be thankful!

Choose to live a thankful life! This is the best way to live!

Happy Thanksgiving and the best is yet to come,

PD