Thanksgiving Prayer

English: Oven roasted turkey, common fare for Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Today is Thanksgiving. The Turkey is in the roaster oven, the stuffing is made and a pie is in the oven. The house is cleaned and prepared, ready for family to gather, eat, laugh and eat some more.
As I think of this day – I am reminded of so many reasons I have to be thankful. And like you – I think about them all year-long. Sometimes the simple things we are thankful for – are hard to express. So many of our blessings are taken for granted – until something happens. I have been more thankful this season because of that reason. Those “things” that happen in our lives only cause us to pause and take a breath. They make us truly grateful for small blessings. Here are a few of mine:
1) I am thankful for health for myself and my family members. In this season I am reminded of how many of my friends are touched my bad news concerning health – and I know for those people, Thanksgiving has a whole new meaning.
2) I am thankful for a happy home with laughter and joy, not a whole lot of material things or money – but happiness and contentment just the same.
3) I am thankful for my wonderful husband of 31 years. He is without a doubt the best thing that ever happened to me – and the biggest blessing in my life. He has stood by me and defended me in all and every situation – always believing the best in me – and I am forever grateful.
4) I am thankful for two wonderful children – who are both grown-up and on their own journey in this life – with its many twist and turns and obstacles that could trip them up and make them turn down a wrong path – if they allowed it. I am grateful that they had a strong foundation in godly things and know the Lord personally. I am so proud of both of them and their lives as they continue to bless and inspire others.
5) I am thankful that both my husband and I were raised in similar Christian homes – full of love and laughter – Christ centered in every way. It helped to prepare us for many things we would encounter in our long marriage and in church work through the years. Both sets of our parents have been married to one person for over 50 years.
And so as I reflect on these blessings my prayer for all of you is this:
May you find joy and laughter in the simple things of life as you look around your table today. And if you are alone this Thanksgiving – I pray you will be reminded of the small blessings of the past – and how it has touched you and made you the person you are today. May smiles and not tears be your companion today and may you have at least one friend to share this memorable day. Amen.
God Bless
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