It’s always nice to give thanks. When I was fighting cancer, part of my bedtime ritual was to thank God for ten good things that happened that day, no matter how small.
Being positive is good for your health. To me, being thankful is just part of having a cheerful heart, which is like good medicine *(Proverbs 17:22, NLT).
Saying “thank you” makes human relationships run smoother. Do you try to say these words of appreciation to the people closest to you? Or do you take them for granted?
What about people who serve you in various capacities, like food servers, mechanics, sales associates, doctors, nurses, medical technicians, or teachers? We could go on and on, but people who help you may differ from the ones who help me.
How many people have assisted you in some way this week? Were you a grumpy receiver, or were you pleasant enough to say, “Thank you for your help?”
America is not the only country to have a Thanksgiving Day, but our history should matter to us. **A Thanksgiving proclamation was made by President George Washington in 1789 per a request from Congress. It was celebrated intermittently until 1863 when President Lincoln proclaimed a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise” on the last Thursday in November.” It was declared a permanent holiday by Congress in 1942.
It’s great to have a special day, but giving thanks to God, as well as to people, should be an everyday affair. Psalm 107:1 (NLT) says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.”
Four times the psalmist repeated this phrase: “Let them praise the LORD for His great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them” (verses 8, 15, 21, and 31).
Has God done any wonderful things in your life? Think about it. That’s where your thanks and mine will differ. God created us as individuals in our mother’s womb and continues to see us that way throughout our lives.
Don’t wait. Become aware of giving thanks- - - starting today!
*Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, and 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.
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