Can you even believe it’s only 11 days until Thanksgiving?
Which means it’s only 39 days until Christmas.
deep breath everybody …okay, now sloowwly exhale….
Whew…
Called my childhood, forever friend last week to wish her a happy birthday! I carried on like a lunatic about how she “better hold on tight to 39 because the
BIG 4-O is just around the corner and oh-by-the-way how does it feel to SOO much older than me and almost 40!!?”
Not even taking a moment to breathe from the smack talk when she finally SHOUTED, “KARMEN, I’m only 38!! YOU are 37! What year were you born? Do the math!”
Whaaaat?
I was absolutely positive I turned thirty-eight on my birthday except that I didn’t. (Oh boy. Now who was the loony-goon in this story? And don’t you want to be my friend so I can call you on your birthday? Not.)
Since that delightful conversation I’ve been especially thankful.
How’s your thank tank?
If the fast pace or unending demands has your attitude full of anything and everything but gratitude here’s 3 simple suggestions to help you and yours get back on the thankful track:
1) A thankful tree.
Don’t make this hard. You don’t have to have a Pinterest account to pull this one off. Last year I picked a limb out of the yard that had fallen to the ground, brought it in, stuck it in a vase, tore a few pieces of scrap paper placed them on the table at the base of the vase, clipped a few clothes pins on the limb and WA-LAH…
Your thankful tree awaits you.
We used it all season, writing simple things like “thankful for hugs” and “family”.
In fact, I liked it so much I decided to mix in a few small ornaments through Christmas season, homemade snowflakes in January and finally a few Valentine cards in February.
2) Serve someone else.
Hands down the best way to get our mind off of ourselves is to get our mind off of ourselves.
Serving others is a fantastic way to get your mind off of yourself. Seek out and serve the widows in your community or in your church. Visit a shut in. Bake an extra batch of cookies, make someone a card, help someone load their groceries.
If you’re local you can serve those hungry for fellowship and a good hot meal at The Bread of Life any Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday from 11-1:00. The jail ministry is another option to consider. They meet at the Sheriff’s office Monday and Thursday evenings from 7-8pm and Sundays at 2pm.
The holidays are hard enough for those who appear to have it all together. Please don’t skip that last part of that last sentence.
None of us have it all together.
Lord, May we be sensitive to the needs of others. Look people in the eye. Love like Jesus. Amen <3
3) Play the thankful game
No cost. No creativity needed for this one. It’s a matter of will.
Will we decide to be thankful in all things?
Not for all things but IN ALL THINGS.
We call it the thankful game. It started in the car. One day on the way to church we were all in a wad. We were anything but kind, loving, nice. We sounded more like a chaotic scene from the movie Christmas Vacation. When at last I shouted,
“Name one thing that you’re thankful for _____!!” Calling out a name that ended in a round robin game of gratitude.
It really works.
An attitude of gratitude is brighter and louder than even the loudest grumblings. You can play it at the table, while cleaning the living room, in your car or at work.
This game knows no bounds and it won’t cost you a dime.
My friend that I spoke of earlier made mention of how nice people are in November and turn how they turn in to mean people on Black Friday. Unfortunately, this is often more true than not.
Friends, may it not be said of us this season.
May we shine like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.
Shining brightly with kindness, thoughtfulness and gratitude.
May our love for others be infectious .
Please share how you keep your attitude of gratitude in check during the holiday season?
I enjoyed reading this about being thankful. I went to visit my Aunt Jimmie Sue who is in Rehab at Collinsville Nursing Home. She is my last living Aunt that I have left all my Uncles have passed away. My Aunt is recovering from a knee replacement. Her room was at the far end of the hall. It was heartbreaking to see all the sick people in the Nursing Home. They looked so sad. I decided I would give each person I met a big smile and say “Hello”. It was amazing to see their faces light up and give me a smile back. I felt I have a lot to be thankful for. Thank you Jesus!