Clay in the Hands

Here we are with the season of Thanksgiving upon us.  Two weeks from now our highways will be busy with people traveling to reconnect with family.  Turkeys will be prepared for tables all over this country.  Aromas will fill the air of thousands of homes and televisions will be tuned to football.

These are just a few of the elements of the season.  But where does actually giving thanks play into the mix?

Maybe a better question is “Are we truly thankful?”  If so, what are thankful for and to whom are we grateful?

Part of the problem with thankfulness is that at the foundation of gratitude is contentment.  And in our culture, we have grown up with such a sense of entitlement that we are rarely content with anything.  We expect more, we desire bigger, we feel we deserve better – when in reality, we are really not that important in the grand scheme of things.  Contrary to my ego, the world does not revolve around me.

When we remember that we are small but God is big – that what we have is a gift – then contentment begins to grow and contentment breeds gratitude.

So today, realize that all the blessings that you possess are not because you deserve them but rather that you have a loving Father that simply has blessed you.

And give thanks!