Giving Thanks On Thanksgiving
Dear Reader,
Happy Thanksgiving! This is the time of year to remember our blessings. For me, it is a time of year to be humble, to give to others, and to remember all of the blessings bestowed upon me throughout my life. It is also the time of the year to remember The Mayflower Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock and their story, which is one of religious persecution and freedom, a struggle for survival, and lessons about collectivism. The Puritans fled Europe to North America in 1620 seeking a place to practice their religion without persecution. After they arrived, they struggled to survive. About half of them starved to death during the first winter. Yikes!
So as you feast upon the meal of your choosing this year, be sure to toast them this Thanksgiving. No matter where you are, remember that they set out for the basic principle of religious liberty, setting up a colony that nearly failed due to its system of collectivism. Their struggle and sacrifice for the first several years in the New World was definitely one for the books.
— Colossians 3:15, NIV
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
What am I grateful for this Thanksgiving?
Every day I give thanks to God for the things I appreciate. However, Thanksgiving provides me the opportunity to share with friends, family, and in this case, you, the things that humble me. I will attempt to write as many of them as I can.
I am thankful for being alive. The fact that I am here, as one of God’s children and creation is humbling. The fact that I am conscious and living is remarkable and I am truly grateful for it. I am also thankful for my friends and family. I cannot imagine not having them in my life. I am thankful for the roof over my head, the food I have on hand to consume, and for the bed I have to sleep in. There are so many others out there right now without these basic necessities. I am happy and grateful to have them. I am also grateful to have a job. Having a place to go to work and earn an income gives me a sense of accomplishment and achievement. There are many who cannot find work, so I appreciate my employer and the fact that I can work.
I am thankful to be a U.S. Citizen. Say what you want about the U.S. Government. I am happy I was born in the U.S.A. I am grateful I have electricity. Without it, life would be more difficult. I am grateful for oil. Yes, oil. Without crude oil, 90% of the products I use that make my life easier wouldn’t exist. Crude oil makes life easier to live.
I am grateful to live during this period of human history. I have learned about some interesting human history and events that have taken place throughout my life. It may have been fun or even great living during some previous times, but living now is interesting itself. Considering the peril we find ourselves in, I believe it makes for a great story. We have witnessed some great drama in politics and in recent world events, haven’t we? Without it, we would have to seek out other forms of entertainment and adventure because we would be bored out of our minds.
I am thankful for my health. I am in good shape and doing quite well. Which, reminds me, I am thankful I am able to learn several styles of martial arts from a great and wonderful teacher. Shifu, if you’re reading this, thank you.
I also want to thank all of my ham radio Elmers. You know who you are! And equally, I want to thank all of the dead poets, composers, musicians, novelists and artists who have inspired me. I am grateful too, for those who are still alive. There’s one author who has mentored me recently and I am thankful to have him as a mentor. Thank you, too.
I am also grateful for running water and sewage. I am grateful for the present technology possessed by our civilization. Can you imagine living without these?
— v1 Timothy 4:4-5, NIV
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
I am grateful for my pets. They are great companions. I am grateful to have the opportunity to write articles here! I am also grateful for the mistakes I have made in my life. They have turned me into a smarter human. I have learned from those mistakes and I won’t repeat them!
Ultimately, the glory must go to God. I am thankful that He created me in his image and likeness. I am also grateful for the lessons to be learned by reading the Bible and for the sacrifice Jesus made. I am thankful for the teachings of Jesus and his continued demonstrations of the Divine Spirit. I aspire every day to live up to his example. Without the knowledge of his teachings, I don’t know where I would be. Thank you God and thank you Jesus.
In closing, I would like to wish you all well. I hope that no matter where or who you are, you have a Happy Thanksgiving. Be safe. Be well. God Bless you. Peace!
— Colossians 4:2, NIV
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
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