Thanksgiving Blessings

"God is a blessing that permeates our entire being, everywhere and all the time. But it is not enough that God blesses us; we have to receive the blessing gracefully to experience it fully. How we receive something is as important as what we are receiving. If we accept a gift with genuine gratitude and humility, giving praise and honor to the giver, then our bounty will increase. When we simply take a gift for granted, however, not giving thanks, then our good will be shrunk. How many times have we casually minimized an opportunity, not recognizing some awesome gift of life and love until it was too late?
...Who among us has never thrown away a blessing, too cocky and spoiled, perhaps, to see it for what it was?
...I consider what miracles I am underestimating now, happening all around me yet unacknowledged and unpraised. It seems to me the biggest crisis that faces us-certainly that faces me-is a crisis of faith.
I forget that the God who paints those sunsets and keeps the sun in the sky and turns the embryo into a baby is active in my life as well. It is because of my own mental fatigue, the failure of my own imagination, that I fail sometimes to connect the dots between the problems that beset my life and God's infinite power to solve them."
"The Gift of Change" by Marianne Williamson

I know...I used another piece of reading material for my blog. Is that so bad?

I read this after I had been pondering my "Thanksgiving" post and ironically it tied in with what I was thinking about. Coincidence?

So the repetitive question we all hear, reserved for this single day of the year...

"What is it that you're thankful for?"

First of all, I am thankful that I serve a God Who is much bigger than what I would perceive as my biggest problem, or question, or fear, or pain.

I am grateful that there is Someone working behind the scenes, on my behalf, all the time.

I am humbled that I can make a bad decision, take a wrong turn, and temporarily lose focus of the things that truly matter, and yet be offered undeserving grace, mercy and compassion because He loves me as much as He does.

And I am incredibly blessed that He has hand-picked individuals and placed them in my life, to serve as my family and friends.

My parents...we may not always see eye to eye on things and have had our share of frustrations and misunderstandings, but regardless of any anger, disappointments or pain I may have "inflicted" upon them at any given year of my life, they have countered it with an unconditional love. I am grateful to have two godly, loving parents, who only want what's best for their children...and even if they don't think their children can see that, their intentions don't go unnoticed.

My brothers...I've said it before...God definitely knew that I wouldn't have been able to handle having a sister, so He gave me the gift of three brothers instead. And I wouldn't have wanted it any other way! Although we've "butted heads" as siblings do, you have all been there, whether it was to "protect" or support me when I needed it the most. I love the three of you more than you know!

My "not so little anymore" boy...my greatest blessing of all. I hope that you will continue to grow into a young man overflowing with love and compassion for others. I am so proud of you for the way that you see people, things and situations with such innocent eyes. And I love how you view life as though it is a great gift...because it is. And my life has been given the greatest gift of all, because you are a part of it! I love you...to "infinity and beyond!!!"

My friends...I am so thankful to have friends that are there for me to laugh with, to encourage me when I need it, as well as to "call me out" at times when I can't see the "bigger" picture. I am grateful beyond words for the countless number of times that you've been there for me, not to criticize, not to judge or condemn, but simply to allow me the opportunity to just be "me." I hope that in some way I can be to each of you who you have been to me.

There you have it...my Thanksgiving blessings.

Hope you all have had a great day...and that you have been able to take some time today to reflect on yours!