Thankfuls

Thanksgiving is tomorrow.  If you are like most people who celebrate this day, you will take time before or after your meal to share something that you're thankful for.  I wish I could say that we practiced this tradition at every one of our Thanksgivings, but we may have missed a few years.  

Over the past six months, we have had the privileged of having our son, daughter-in-law and three amazingly wonderful grandchildren living with us.  We are three generations under one roof.  Next fall, they will return to Northern Asia to continue their work there.  Our son's family has a nightly tradition called "Thankfuls."  They don't do "Thankfuls" just on special occasions or over the month of November or at the Thanksgiving table.  It's every night all year long.   

Some nights, our grandkids will ask us to join them for "Thankfuls."  We go upstairs and sit on their beds while each one says one thing that they are thankful for that day.  The "Thankfuls" they usually share consist of time that someone spent with them, a thoughtful gift they received, a kindness shown to them or something yummy they ate.

To me, it's not as much about the item they are being thankful for as it is the lesson of gratitude that is being nurtured in them every single day. 

In I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (TLB) it says this... 

 Always be joyful. 

Always keep on praying.

No matter what happens, 

always be thankful, 

for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Our country has had some struggles this past year.  There has been much division over the parsing of words and taking of sides.  Sadly, this division has even found its way inside the Church.  By Church, I don't mean a building made of bricks and motor but a Church made of blood, flesh and bone.

Here are the verses that proceed this call to rejoice, pray and give thanks, no matter what happens around you. (verses 14 & 15)

Dear brothers, warn those who are lazy, comfort those who are frightened, take tender care of those who are weak, and be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.

Tonight, before you lay your head on the pillow, tell someone your "Thankfuls," and be KIND OUT THERE!