Tell Us Why You Are Thankful
Published by Chuck Gschwend November 1st, 2007 in General, Interact.Surf the internet and you will find countless articles on the benefits of gratitude. Even “science” argues for the benefits of being a thankful person? Our Bible is certainly full of admonitions, such as Colossians 4:2, that encourage and command us to have an attitude of thanksgiving. As Christians we have more reason than anyone to be grateful since God has done so much for us by bringing us to the place where we can see how glorious and wonderful He is. Dietrich Bonhoeffer believes gratitude is necessary to make our life rich. “In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.”Yet, such gratitude must be cultivated. Thanksgiving is a great reminder that we are to always be cultivating a grateful attitude toward God. Do you make Thanksgiving a part of your spiritual pursuit of a life of gratitude? If so, help us out by sharing your thoughts as to how your Thanksgiving traditions or celebratons have made you a more thankful person. I know we could all benefit by thinking through this issue together.
Hey, I’ll think about this one, and I look forward to seeing what others share!
Bonjour from Switzerland. We adopted a tradition from Barbara Rainey’s book ” Thanksgiving a Time to Remember” We started this tradition when Sierra was 4 yrs old. We have doing this tradition for 5 hrs now. In Rainey’s book, she encourages the readers to share at least 5 reasons to be thankful during the meal. Everyone in attendance receives 5 kernels of corn and a card and pen. Why the 5 kernels of corn? The corn is a visual remembrance of the Pilgrims and the sacrifices they made in coming to Plymouth. Lengend has it that during the 2nd and 3rd winter, the Pilrims only had 5 kernels of corn daily for their food. Not one of the Pilgrims died of starvation due to God’s provision. We then pass a small basket around the table and as everyone puts a kernel of corn in the basket, each one shares an item he/she is thankful for. During the course of the meal, the basket goes around 5 times so we can all rejoice with one another over our blessings.
As far as my graditude to God this Thanksgiving;
1. I am thankful for God and my opportunity to be here for a year and experience life in Switzerland, BECAUSE I have to focus on God more than I ever did in the USA.(being out of my comfort zone)
2. My family
3. Our health
4. Daily provisions: job, shlter, car school, friends, food and internet
5. Small and Big answers to prayer. Such as trustworty house sitters, Casey’s salvation, and new opportunties for sharing Christ love here.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FELLOWSHIP. We miss you. Stop by when you are in the area. We would love to see you.