Choose to see the good, the beauty, the precious moment…
We all have much for which to be thankful. We are free, in a nation of plenty with a heritage of giving thanks to God and of giving a helping hand to those in need. We inherently know that we must give in order to receive. That is what makes Thanksgiving time a special season.
There is a passage in Philippians that tells us to be anxious for nothing. That is hard for us. We tend to worry about everything. The same passage encourages us to pray about everything with thanksgiving. Meaning, to give thanks even before we have an answer to our prayers. Seems like there is an absolute all-in spirit in this message. And though it is not our first reflex, we can choose to turn from fear to faith, and to give thanks in every circumstance.
The truth is each of us have abundant opportunity every day to cultivate a thankful heart. We can actually choose to see the good, the beauty, the precious moment even in the midst of a pile of stress, or fear. And with that choice comes the realization of just how much we have to share.
Across town there is a lady that suffers in ill health, no kids, no close relations, just her alone with her need. What can we do? There’s the kid around the corner trying to find a path to discipline and self-sufficiency, could we by chance hire him for a small job that gets him a step forward? Can we spend five minutes with a neighbor right next door that needs an encouraging word?
What light would enter their day, and ours, by just the presence of mind to see that giving to others is also a means to give thanks for our blessings. Maybe, even in our worst condition we are still able to give to others, if we choose.
If You Choose, Give Thanks…
