The Road to Thanksgiving

“Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.”

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

I recently read a simple story with an invitation. I felt led to share it with you. A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which read, “I am blind, please help.”

There were only a few coins in the hat – spare change from folks as they hurried past. A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. Then he put the sign back in the boy’s hand so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the

blind boy.

That afternoon, the man who had changed the sign returned to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?”

The man said, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.”

I wrote, “Today is a beautiful day, but I cannot see it.”

Both signs spoke the truth. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind, while the second sign conveyed to everyone walking by how grateful they should be to see.

I love that story? How is it possible that we forget to be grateful - especially when we already know all that gratitude can offer us. It can take a stale moment and turn it into something fresh and vibrant. It can take a relationship to a new level. It scatters the worries, lifting our eyes to see all that we’ve been missing. It can soften the hardest of hearts and brighten the darkest of days. When we give way to gratitude, in exchange, it leaves

us with a hopeful and peaceful feeling. It begins to paint a masterpiece of all that God has given us.

As we travel the road to Thanksgiving, I simply challenge to you pick 5. Develop the habit of at any given time, say 5 things your grateful for.

Or better yet, let it continue throughout the day, 5 here, another 5 there. In the morning when you wake, when you’re driving or in traffic, while praying or sitting in silence.

It’s then that you start to notice the ease of a sunset, the love in the voice of your child, the way the autumn leaves scatter, twirl and crunch. Take in the gift of the world and look for things to be thankful for. Hold on to what you're grateful for, and let the good thoughts float and linger.

There is a sea of amazing people, sweet moments...and things within your life that are just waiting for you to lift your eyes and see.

A Thanksgiving Blessing

By Rick W. Cotton

It's cold outside, but it's warm in my heart.

And the gray fall sky is His work of art.

Laden and low, quiet and still,

November is welcome, and my eyes drink their fill.

Of brown-gray grass and red-orange leaves,

Of pavement winding through the strong, stately trees.

Down the hill, past the barn, past the gate, up the lane,

The house with bright candles in each window pane.

Now I step inside; oh, it's warm! Oh, that smell!

Hot turkey roasting, potatoes done well!

Sweet, spicy cider, and warm winter wine

Cranberry sauce - Oh! - the flavors - divine!

The smiles and hugs are so warm and sweet.

In this cold gray November, a Thanksgiving treat.

I do love it all and am so thankful; yes,

For this lovely season, I am truly blessed.

3 Scriptures, 2 Quotes and 1 Question to Consider:

3 Scriptures:

Psalm 103 has been my favorite for many years.

Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the LORD, my soul and forget not all his benefits—

who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103 1-5

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100 4-5

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15

2 Quotes:

Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. - Hausa Proverb

“You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing."

—Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

1 Question

Can you make more room for gratitude in your life?