Thanksgiving means so much more than just eating great food, watching good football, spending time with family and friends. It is much, much more. I sometimes call myself a Ragamuffin which in my terms means I'm a Christian and proud to be, but not too proud to admit that I sin often, and I am constantly fighting with what is right. You grow up as a child and understand that Thanksgiving is about giving thanks. Giving thanks....it sounds so easy, but it is actually a strong statement. Until this year I haven't really thought about how to go about giving thanks in the right way. Do you write letters? Do you go to people face to face and tell them how much you appreciate them? Do you go to your doctor who has kept you healthy and say thank you? Do you go to your influential teachers and say thank you? You get the picture. I don't think there is a right answer to my own question. Giving thanks comes from within-within your heart and the words you speak to God. It does not need to be public or hidden for that matter. However one chooses to show their thanks is personal and is to be respected.Yesterday at United Way, we had our annual Thanksgiving dinner with our "family" at work. My mind started to wonder as I looked around the room. These people in this room, eating their food, talking with co workers, laughing, are influential in our lives. Let's think about this. You come to work 5 days a week for 8 hours every day. This means your time spent with your family, husband, friends, or even your dog is limited. I often hear people complain that we spend too much time working because you should be with your family. Please do not get me wrong because I am guilty of saying this, but in the spirit of Thanksgiving I had a "Whoah!" moment when I had a realization that I need to be thankful. I need to be on my knees thanking God for giving me the time to work, the energy to withstand 8 hours of hard work, the vehicle I have to get myself to work and back, the clothing on my body so I can stay warm, and most of all-a job. Not just any job, a job where I have close friends. Friends I know I can run to for help. Once again, I need to be on my knees thanking God for giving me a great life. It's not that hard to pray. It's not hard to thank God for the wonderful things that surround me, but I find myself ignoring him. This does not mean I do not think of him often or that I don't listen to his word, but I don't' have conversations with him as much as I should. God is the one person who will listen with a open heart, an open mind, and arms held wide open. He is not there to interrupt , judge or to make you feel guilty. All he wants is for us to love him and follow him. I ask everyone to start having more conversations with God. I promise you will find a peace somewhere in your heart. I know I have.
This year I am thankful for so many things that it would be hard to list, but I plan on talking to God and saying a big THANK YOU for helping me; For without him, I would be nothing.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone...
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