Thankfulness

Thankfulness . . .

The New Living Translation of Psalm 103:2 says: “Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.”

Most of us just celebrated the special day we as Americans set aside each year to express gratitude and to be especially thankful to God. With restrictions and gathering guidelines from some of our state’s governors, this year’s celebration of Thanksgiving looked quite different from years gone by. Traditions of traveling for miles and miles to gather around a bountiful table spread with our favorite foods shared with our dearest loved ones was indeed different for most of us this year.

Being thankful in 2020 has taken on a new meaning for many of us. We have been awakened to and reminded of what true thankfulness really is. In the past, simple things like gathering with family was a given; however, this year, we found out what a true blessing it is to be together and in the same room with those we love the most! Hearing the stories told of our youth, taking note of how a niece or nephew has grown since last year, flipping through old photo albums, tossing a football in the back yard and all the many simple things that made Thanksgivings so special and memorable . . . all reminders of those simple things to be thankful for. Experiences in 2020 have forced us to reassess just what is important in our lives while here on earth.

I’ve been gently reminded that being thankful is something we need to be intentional about each and every day. We all need to pause, look around and note what we are thankful for. Express your thankfulness. If it’s for someone, tell them about it through a text, a phone call or send them a card. There’s nothing like getting a card with a message that says, “I appreciate you.” Everyone has a need and a desire to be appreciated and thankfulness is contagious!

Every day we have the opportunity to be thankful. Think of some things 2020 has reminded you to be thankful for. A few of mine are: simple togetherness, a hug, family members (the coronavirus and other illnesses has taken some way too soon), laughter, love for others, a place to call home, freedoms, prayer, Scriptures, ministry, giving, a job, togetherness and so many more. It’s like the old hymn tells us: Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings, see what God hath done; count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Let’s all be thankful for the little things, because one day you may look back and realize they were the big things . . . On the Journey.

Written by Linda Cooper