Happy Thanksgiving

A Time for Gratitude

Psalm 118:24

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

I’ve been working at my desk all day, watching the snow flurries scamper across back yard. It’s beautiful. It’s white. It’s clean...it’s peaceful and silent, except for an occasional gust of wind....and it’s temporary. It will pile up soon – into drifts and blustery paths.

It’s Ohio. It’s winter. It’s the way the weather is supposed to be. And yet, most everyone around me seems to be is complaining about the beautiful God given show:

• I hate the snow.

• I hate the cold.

• I hate driving in this stuff...like it’s an anomaly that happens once every 10 years.

• ....and on and on.

I actually love the long, cold, gray days... I love to snuggle in and hunker down, completing basement and house projects that never get done when it’s sunny and warm outside.

When the weather is inclement, it gives me additional pause to be grateful –

• Grateful that I have a warm house.

• Grateful for the warm, dry clothes I have to layer on when I need to go out.

• Grateful for electricity – for a stove, a refrigerator, washer/dryer, music, my computer.

• Grateful for a comfortable bed.

• Grateful for food in the refrigerator, freezer, and storage pantry.

• Grateful for a HOT water for showers that last for more than 20 minutes.

• Grateful for the internet.

• Grateful for friends, colleagues, employees...and of course, for Teegan.

Beyond being grateful for worldly possessions, it’s also a good time to reflect and be grateful for all that I have experienced over the last few decades of my life – from travel to tragedy – because the Bible says to that ALL things work together for GOOD for those who love God.

Look at each thing you see in front of you through a different set of eyes today. Look at your friends, your family, your home, the nature outside as though it will be the last time you ever see it. Soak it in. Feel the love. Be grateful.

Whether your view is a blizzard or a palm tree, mountain peaks or a manicured beach – remember to be rejoice and be glad, for these are the things the Lord has made!

And one last thing:

I am especially grateful for each and every one of you who supports my substacks, listens to my podcasts and purchases our product promotions. Beyond your financial support, and I am especially grateful for your prayers and kind words. For all of you who send cards, books, and other gifts, THANK YOU so much! Your support and love is so important and I can never tell each of you individually. So on this Thanksgiving Day, I am sending you all wishes of gratitude, from the bottom of my heart.

Today’s Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the snow and the cold. You’re giving time to your creations to sleep, to store up energy and to rest before they undergo their Big Production in the Spring. Lord, show us that winter is also a time for humans to rest and restore. As You said in Ecclesiastes, ‘there is a time for every purpose – every activity – under heaven.’ In all things, we will do our best to be grateful... and use every experience to feel Your presence. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.