Thanksgiving Thankfulness

Yesterday was a beautiful day and perfect for family gatherings. I know most of us had plenty to eat and plenty of family and friends to visit.

Thanksgiving gives us a chance to think back over the year and be thankful for all the blessings we have received. As you think back, do you remember those bad times that you thought would never end? As I think back, somehow those bad times don't seem as bad now as they were at the time. If we aren't careful and ask God for help, we can find it hard to get past the bad memories and go on to the good memories.

My oldest sister passed away a couple of years ago. She was the mainstay of our family. All holiday celebrations took place at her house. If any of us needed anything, we just called her. She took care of our mother and her husband. Then all of a sudden, she was gone. The family started falling apart. Her husband passed away four months later, their children got mad at each other. Her daughter refused to take any thing from her house, even photos. That made other family members mad and they said that my sister would turn over in her grave if she knew how her daughter was acting. The older children buried their dad next to their mother(married 10 years) instead of my sister (married 30 years) That caused more hard feelings. Some family members wouldn't talk to others, etc.. and this went on for a year or more.

This year things have been better. All of the family will be getting together on Saturday to celebrate Thanksgiving. God has richly blessed each of us, not with wealth, but with health and family and loved ones. We can finally look past the grief and anger at each other and remember that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. We have to take each day and live it the best we can and if we mess up, tomorrow is a new day.

Psalm 118:28-29 - Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.