One family discovers Thanksgiving far beyond the holiday table. Together, they reveal how gratitude can unfold long before Thursday arrives.
by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator
Glenn Mollette
We can and should celebrate Thanksgiving every day. Jesus told the story about the man cleansed of leprosy who returned to give thanks. He pointed out there were nine who experienced the same healing of their physical problem, but did not return to give thanks.
The Pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving. They gave thanks for the rain, their harvest, health and the kindness of the local native Americans. They also gave thanks to God for their new life in America.
We know the difference between a thankful person and someone who complains all the time about anything and everything. It’s more fun to be around a grateful person than someone who can find something bad to say about anything and everything that is good.
There is a painting I love that displays a man with a bowed head, hands clasped and before him what appears to be a bowl of soup. In the painting he is giving thanks.
Our children and grandchildren all have a lot to learn in life and so do all of us adults. Two words that seem to be absent from many vocabularies are “thank you.”
We should say “thank you,” a lot. Say thank you to God and to all those who do even the smallest things for us and around us. It doesn’t hurt to say thank you two or three times.
Where did you learn to say thank you? Did your parents teach you? Did you learn it in school? Did you learn it from hearing someone else say it often? Or, have you yet to learn the importance of those two special and sacred words.
Thank you goes a long way. Saying thank you builds bridges, tears down walls and overcomes a lot of sin, evil and bad feelings. Thank people for being your friends, for their kindnesses, for their service, their faithfulness, their patriotism and all the big and small things from A to Z.
Don’t wait until Thanksgiving to say “thank you.” Give thanks to God, our public servants, your family, co-workers and more today and as often as possible.
I’ve already had several days of Thanksgiving. Last week we sat in my sister’s family room and spent time talking to one of our own who survived an aortic aneurism. We talked about the miracle of the many people who were involved in saving his life. We gave thanks and have many times.
We spent time eating chili soup and sloppy joe sandwiches and casually hanging out as family. They were precious hours of Thanksgiving. My wife and I spent an hour or so another day with my sister, her husband and son eating some early turkey, dressing mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. You don’t have to wait until Thursday to have turkey and family fellowship. One evening we sat with my brother and his son and family just talking around the table while they were having hamburgers. It was a nice time of fellowship. On another day we got to volunteer with others to distribute Thanksgiving food to over 800 people and again we experienced a blessed time of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving can be any day, with any meal and a variety people. Whatever the day, meal or occasion, see the blessing of the moment and give thanks.
About the author ~
Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.
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by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator
