My wife said something today I want to share: “I prefer Thanksgiving to Christmas because Thanksgiving is really about people and gratitude, while Christmas and it’s meaning often get lost in shopping and stress.”  If you are like me you say a hearty “amen” to that sentiment.  With that in mind I offer my reasons for giving thanks…

• My heart is beating; I’m still here.  Life is so very, very precious.

•  I’ll put my head on a pillow tonight next to a woman who loves me as I am, and inspires me to become more.

• I’ll rest in the safety of God’s amazing grace; He is Lord of all, and I belong to Him.

• My sons are amazing men of character, purpose and faith.

• My daughters-in-law are the perfect partners to their husbands.

• My grandson is a source of unspeakable joy.

• There is a roof over my head, heat to keep me warm and water to quench my thirst.

• There is food in the pantry.

• I have freedom to life, enjoy liberty and pursue happiness because of the continuing sacrifice and vigiliance of our armed services.

• There is adversity, challenge, disappointment, frustration and pain; they all present opportunity to grow more and gain more wisdom.

 I hope you will genuinely, thoughtfully and humbly give thanks for all the good things that are yours this moment.  And, I encourage you to offer thanks as well for the hard / bad things; they are intended to help you in ways otherwise unavailable.  A grateful heart is a tender and pliable heart, and it speaks outloud words of gratitude and thanksgiving.

You are blessed beyond measure.  Give thanks!

***If you want to read some things that will encourage you in the deepest ways, go to www.sharingencouragement.com.  You’ll be glad you did!!!