What if you woke up TODAY with only the things you thanked God for YESTERDAY?
November. Ahhh … the month of being thankful and … well – Thanksgiving. It’s tempting this time of year to speed walk through the month as we look ahead to Christmas. The decorating. The shopping. The baking. And of course, the Hallmark Christmas movies. All can tempt us to completely forget what Thanksgiving SHOULD be about.
Imagine lives dramatically changed as a result of thankfulness – and not just at Thanksgiving – but all year round.
If you wake every morning, THANK GOD for a new day.
If you slept in a bed, with pillows, sheets and blankets, THANK GOD. Millions of people don’t know such luxuries; are homeless or sleep on the streets.
If you take a shower every day and are tempted to complain about how long it takes for the water to heat up, THANK GOD. In many parts of the world people live without running water – hot or cold.
If you can’t decide whether to have cereal, eggs or pancakes for breakfast, THANK GOD. Millions go hungry every day and would consider themselves fortunate to eat the table scraps we throw away.
If you have a job to go to and drive a car (even that old clunker) to get there or ride public transportation, THANK GOD for your income and the ability to afford such conveniences. In many parts of the world, people survive on pennies a day and travel only as far as their legs will carry them.
If your daily commute gives you a headache, THANK GOD you can easily pop an aspirin or a Tylenol. Countless people live without the benefit of even simple over-the-counter medications that we take for granted. Health care, dental care and basic medical check-ups are unheard of in many countries – including the U.S.
If you have a spouse or a family or loved ones who drive you absolutely crazy that you are forced to see during the holidays, THANK GOD. Loneliness is crippling and suicide rates jump significantly during the holidays.
If you’re reading this blog on your computer, smart phone or tablet and are tempted to lament about your slow WiFi, THANK GOD. You are fortunate to be connected to the world, while so many others live without electricity.
If you have a Bible (or two or three or six) just laying around collecting dust, THANK GOD. The Gospel of Christ is prohibited in many nations, punishable by death.
If you’ve got a head full of hair that you curse every day because you can’t get it to lay flat, or curl or hide that stupid cowlick you hate … THANK GOD. I have friends who have lost all their hair because of harsh chemo treatments.
If you can see, smell, taste, hear, touch, walk, run, have two arms or legs, a mouthful of teeth, shoes on your feet and so many clothes in your closet you can’t decide what to wear … THANK GOD! You are BLESSED!
This list of things that we should be thankful for could fill an entire book!
I challenge you to start TODAY the habit of THANKING GOD for all that you have. Little things, big things and things you take for granted. Be the change. Why not put the THANKS back into THANKSgiving for as long as God gives you breath!
WHAT are you thankful for?
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 107:1 (NLT)
Blessings in Christ,
Kathy K.
Wonderful perspective!
I heard this one lady on the radio the other day that instead of saying, “I have to” she’d learn to say, “thank you God I get to!” Instead of saying, “I have to drive to work” she now says, “thank you God I have a job and a vehicle to get there!” Gratitude is truly a great perspective-changer.
Thanks Kathy for this devotional. I need to print it out in case my soul needs an attitude adjustment! Giving thanks for your writing ability!
Great reminder – thankful for the technology to get this word to reach the masses. 🙂
LOL, I’m one of the ones losing hair due to chemo. Now that I’m on this “trip,” I find that hair is the least of your worries! Now, speaking for the folicularly challenged, I WILL say, the following comments aren’t helpful: “I heard your hair will grow back differently, ha, ha, ha.” “When are you losing your hair?” “When are you cutting / shaving your head?” I GET that people are awkward, but these comments do NOT feel good. If you want to DO something for a woman losing her hair, buy her a pretty head scarf or close fitting hat (I’m rocking the flapper hats right now!) My comments aren’t directed at any particular person, ok, just some general insight. I was also told that I was overreacting to my diagnosis. That was an all-time low for me. I have a dark sense of humor, but please be gentle and kind and loving and encouraging toward your Christian sisters going through any cancer journey. xoxo