I was working through a couple of blog post ideas, trying to decide which to use. Then I remembered this was Thanksgiving week.
“Hmm,” I thought. “I should probably say something about Thanksgiving.”
But what could I say that I hadn’t already said? What new angle or twist could I come up with?
Then I thought—does Thanksgiving really need an angle? Can’t we just—be thankful?
But what if we’re not feeling so thankful?
Well, thanksgiving isn’t a feeling. It’s an action, an act of the will. And once we start giving thanks, it’s not long before we feel thankful.
If you’re not feeling so grateful this week, maybe you could read some psalms, like 100 or 103 or 107 or 145.
Or you could sing or read some hymns, like “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” or “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”
Or you could recount your Ebenezers, those times in your life you especially saw God’s hand at work.
Or you could make a list of simple blessings: a beautiful sunset, a warm home, friends and family, food to eat, and so on.
Though we should be thankful every day, Thanksgiving is a good reminder that we do have a lot to be thankful for. I’ve found that once I get started looking for things to be thankful for, it’s hard to stop.
It’s fine to create a Thanksgiving feast (we will) or try some new ideas to spur thankfulness (we have) or set out Pinterest-worthy decorations or or try some Thanksgiving-ish crafts (done those, too).
It’s also fine to eat out or use paper plates or grill hamburgers or make sandwiches.
But simply giving thanks to the Giver of all good things often gets lost in the shuffle of everything else. Whatever else we do, may giving thanks to Him be our main focus.
Here’s both a hymn and a thankful list! It’s beautifully sung by the Sacred Music Services‘ men’s chorus.
I wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving Day, someone to share it with, something good to eat, some time to rest, and some time to “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 107:1).
(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)
Stray Thoughts 
These are great ideas to remind us of all we have to be thankful for. It is so true that there are always reasons, even in hard times, and it makes a big difference when we choose to focus on that. I hope you and your family have a lovely Thanksgiving! An American couple has recently joined our church and since it will be their first Thanksgiving away from home, our small group is putting on a Thanksgiving meal for them. It will be fun to sample a little bit of your holiday as well as some foods I haven’t tried before!
What a kind thing to do for the American family! I hope your enjoy your taste of Thanksgiving food.
Wishing you and yours a very blessed celebration of gratitude!
Thank you, Michele, and I wish the same for you and your family.
Barbara, this is simply beautiful. This –> “ I’ve found that once I get started looking for things to be thankful for, it’s hard to stop.” Me to Barbara me too. Blessings.
Blessings to you as well! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Barbara, simply beautiful. This –> “I’ve found that once I get started looking for things to be thankful for, it’s hard to stop.” Me too Barbara, me too. And oh how I do. Blessings.
These thoughts are a relief! You’re right; Thanksgiving doesn’t need an “angle” or special profound thoughts. We all should be thankful every day, not just on this day. I’ll be counting blessings on Thanksgiving as I eat off of my (maybe?) paper plate 🙂 Wishing you and yours a wonderful day! Note that I also enjoyed the hymn you posted. It’s a new one to me.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and safe travels!
I thought this was so interesting: a friend shared that in Spanish, “thanksgiving” is “accion de gracias.” Action of thanks.
It does go better when we give thanks and praise the one who makes this all possible. Have a happy thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Recounting Ebenezers. That is fun to do as a family. Once you get going, one Ebenezer reminds you of another. Happy Thanksgiving!
That’s true–the more we remember and recount God’s blessings, more of them come to mind. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
This >> “Well, thanksgiving isn’t a feeling. It’s an action, an act of the will.” May we all be moved into action! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Amen! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well!
Barbara, I loved what you said here–thanksgiving isn’t a feeling. It’s an action, an act of the will. And once we start giving thanks, it’s not long before we feel thankful. So true! Once we start adopting a changed mindset, it’s easier to become a habit. Happy Thanksgiving!
May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with your family, Barbara.
Thank you so much for sharing your post at our Senior Salon Pit Stop.
Pinned to Senior Salon Pit Stop InLinkz Linkup Shares board and tweeted @EsmeSalon #SeniorSalonPitStop
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thank you for sharing the lovely song. I shared it with my family.
Blessings,
Tammy
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