Happy Thanksgiving!

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. (Psalm 107:8-9 ESV).

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your day is beginning with pleasant anticipation of the making of new and wonderful memories with family and friends. Mary and I will have a quiet day. Our plan is to go to Cracker Barrel for a traditional turkey and dressing lunch and then to the theater to see “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” Of course, we’ll get time to talk with David and his family and Aaron, neither of who will be able to travel this holiday. And, we’ll spend time this evening with Kyle and his family. So, please don’t think I am complaining. I am reminded that many of you may not have family or friends to spend the day with either. That might make it more difficult to be thankful. So, in that regard I have reproduced a story I recently read: Two old friends met each other on the street one day. One looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, “What has the world done to you, my old friend?” The sad fellow said, “Let me tell you: three weeks ago, my uncle died and left me forty thousand dollars.” “That’s a lot of money.” “But you see, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me eighty-five thousand dollars, free and clear.” “Sounds to me that you’ve been very blessed.” “You don’t understand!” he interrupted. “Last week my great-aunt passed away. I inherited almost a quarter of a million from her.” Now the man’s friend was really confused. “Then, why do you look so glum?” “This week… nothing!” That’s the problem with unrealistic expectations. Receiving something on a regular basis, even if it is a gift, we eventually come to expect it. The natural tendency is that if we receive a gift long enough, we come to view it almost as an entitlement. We feel hurt, even angry, if we don’t receive it any longer. It is the same way with the blessings God gives us every day. I don’t deserve my comfortable home that I live in, the beautiful scenery around me, the clean water I drink. But after receiving these gifts (and a multitude of others) for years, I sometimes fail to be grateful. I’ve come to expect these good things. And when one of them is removed even for a short time, I get upset. Join me today in being very intentional to recognize the blessings we’ve come to take for granted. Let’s focus on what we have rather than on what we don’t have, and see if it doesn’t improve our attitudes. I’m thinking it’s going to be a GREAT day!