Thankfulness List
You probably don’t want to hear this, but I must offer you a warning. By the end of the week you will hear Christmas music, and there will be decorations all over the place. I know it’s too early! Don’t shoot the messenger. I’m just trying to prepare you. I don’t want you to be shocked.
I’m going to tell you a secret. I love the holidays. I’m just big kid when it comes to the parties, the celebrations, and yes, the decorations and music. But I wish to get all that started on the day after Thanksgiving. While some are out early seeking Black Friday deals, I will utilize that day to put up our tree with Nat King Cole singing in the background. I will not buy my first gift, no matter the temptation, until after that.
So, why am I telling you this the last week of October? I want to start a revolution. I want us to spend the next four weeks giving thanks. I know that we will celebrate that day with turkey and parades and football. But I don’t want to wait that long. I want to make November the most thankful month of the year.
So here is what I propose. Every day for the next four weeks, before your feet hit the floor, give thanks. You are alive and breathing! You have a new day! You have a reason for thankfulness!
And then, all through the day, whenever anything good comes to mind, offer a prayer of thanksgiving, and then do one more thing. Write down your reason for thankfulness. See how long the list grows.
I have an idea. I think, if we take this seriously and really follow through, that we may need multiple pieces of paper to keep track. At the end of this time I am going to tally the total on my paper. How many reasons will I have to give thanks? I’m not sure. But I’m betting on this. If I take the time to remember and record all of my blessings, my complaints list will shrink accordingly.
Paul wrote, “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Let’s do just that starting now.
