Give thanks

wow, i was definitely going to give out a list of work that i have to do, because it seems like this thanksgiving break, I just have a lot of homework to do (like a lot of other people), but if if I were to be honest with myself, I DO have a lot to give thanks for. Tonight, Uncle Rob reminded us that we tend to take things for granted, such as our health and family, until they're gone, and also that we can be like children who receive their gifts(blessings) Christmas morning while forgetting the parents(God) that gave them, which is why Thanksgiving has the opportunity to be such a cool time of remembrance and gratitude, though I guess that aspect is usually overlooked by the turkey and food and feasting aspect, kinda like Christmas and gift-giving.

For example, even though i live in a super tiny, cramped apartment, i can give thanks that I have a place to live at all and don't really have to worry about food (except at school when I never have money). And it's not like I'm just settling, like when we're at church and for some reason, instead of dr. pepper, there's "dr. skipper" (hmm) and we're just like, "o well, dr. skipper's better than nothing." but it's like I can be genuinely grateful.

Anyway, I know at least for me, thanksgiving has been kind of watered down in a sense just because get caught up in like the food/turkey/"yay pilgrims" aspect, while for the Pilgrims it was about giving thanks to God for his provision. I know for me, that's definitely one thing lacking in my prayer life, the whole "catpis" aspect is usually lost on me, as I'll pray for people and things, while not giving thanks nearly enough, and like if u look at the screen at church on friday nights, the "thanksgivings" list is usually fairly shorter than the other list of things/people to pray for as well.


"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

And of course, we'll always have reason to give thanks for God's love and how He's showed it to us through the gift of His Son, Christ. While we're sinful humans, rejecting God and deserving just that, an eternity without God, we can have, what?, eternal life through Jesus Christ? I can't adequately convey the awesomeness of His grace and love, so....I'll just end with this. As days go on, and more bad things happen, we'll always have things that we'll wana complain about but I feel like just as much, or even more, is there for us to give thanks for, material or spiritual. I mean, even if something isn't "good," all you really have to do is romans 8:28 it, and think about that "bad thing" one more time.

In conclusion, I encourage us to give thanks because God is good (all day, everyday)