Sunday, November 18, 2007

Thanksgiving

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has."~Epictetus~

"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful."~ Buddha ~

"People who live the most fulfilling lives are the ones who are always rejoicing at what they have."~Richard Carlson~

"Thank God--every morning when you get up--that you have something to do which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you a hundred virtues which the idle never know."~ Charles Kingsley ~

"True thanksgiving means that we need to thank God for what He has done for us, and not to tell Him what we have done for Him."~ George R. Hendrick ~

Thanksgiving Day is this week. Imagine--an entire day set aside to express our thankfulness for what we have. I wonder how many people will actually do so. You know...actually utter a list out loud. I wonder how many people will mutter a "grace" by rote before someone cries "dig in!"

Last week on an author's loop that I frequent I asked the others "What are you thankful for?" Not a single person replied. Have we reached that point that we have nothing to be thankful for? Even if we don't believe in organized religion, surely we are thankful for that roof over our head and that food on the table. Surely?

At the church I attended in New York, we had a chorus that we sang nearly every Sunday. The second verse in particular had great meaning for me, especially as I was going through a very turbulent time in my life.

GIVE THANKS WITH A GRATEFUL HEART
GIVE THANKS TO THE HOLY ONE
GIVE THANKS FOR HE'S GIVEN
JESUS CHRIST, HIS SON

AND NOW LET THE WEAK SAY I AM STRONG
LET THE POOR SAY I AM RICH
BECAUSE OF WHAT
THE LORD HAS DONE FOR US

GIVE THANKS...

Each morning I'm thankful that I have been given another day. It's not guaranteed, after all. And I'm thankful for those "things" I have in life. Shelter, food, health, spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings and friends. Look at the amazing abundance I have in my life. Though I am poor financially, I am rich. Though I have moments of self doubt my friends and family make me strong. Give thanks!

Anny

Stop by Amarinda's house at http://www.amarindajones.blogspot.com/ to see what she's been up to and then stop by Kelly's house at http://www.kkirch.blogspot.com/ to read her Sunday Quote. Blessings on your day!

10 comments:

  1. Great post, Anny.

    I am thankful that I have friends enough in our new home that we had two invitations to celebrate with others (and that I don't have to cook the whole meal myself!)

    I am thankful that I have two beautiful, healthy children (even if they are squabbling most of the time!)

    I am thankful that I get to stay home and do what I love with my time - write, quilt and bake

    Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

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  2. We don't do thanksgiving om OZ - but I am thankful I am free, healthly, able to makes choices for myself and speak my mind. I am thankful for my family, for old friends and for new, far flung friends. I am thankful for Tim Tams...okay, I know that's superficial but my hormones are running wild at the moment and Tim Tams are on my mind...Good blog as alway ZQ

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  3. I am ever thankful for the roof over my head; a hubby who has stayed out of the hospital this year; 3 wonderful and healthy kids; my loving and supportive family; new friends who have greatly encouraged my writing/publishing efforts; and my own good health.

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  4. I am thankful for my friends who always seem to turn up just when I need them most. Without them I would have gone into isolation by now. My only hope is that I can someday give back what they have given me.

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  5. Uh, yeah. Don't actually stop by my house because I ain't gonna clean up for you.

    I'm thankful for today. My husband closed my car in the detached garage with my opener inside it. He has one too, and had gone on to church. The girls and I, meant to follow, could not as we were locked out of the garage and away from the car. Now this could have been a bad thing except the girls and I had a private devotional based on their baptismal verses. Ps 139 and Ps 145.

    I was struck by the way these passages, prayed over and chosen just after birth, apply to the differences in my children. J, had 139. She struggles from depression and loneliness and this passage is about never being out of His reach or His comfort. P, had 145, about rejoicing and she is the happiest kid I know, ever joyfully praying and singing when others cannot find the strength to do it on their own.

    I am grateful for out time together and realizing He knew them and had them in His care before I saw the signifigance of their dedication passages.

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  6. I am thankful for my family and my friends. I am thankful for the writer's groups I belong to because of their support. I am thankful for having enough...

    enough food to eat
    enough clothes to wear
    enough money to live on
    enough house to live in

    Vicky B

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  7. Another great blog, Anny. You're a glass half full type. And that's a good thing. Happy Thanksgiving!
    Sandra

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  8. Kelly, that was really neat! Goes to show He really does "know us before we were born"...

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  9. I like the Thanksgiving tradition where, before digging in, you go around the table and everyone says what they're particularly thankful for that year.

    --Liz

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  10. I am thankful that my husband, sons, parents and sisters are still living and healthy. I'm thankful that that we live comfortable lives and that we al love each other. I'm thankful for my writing career and the oh so many new friends I've found online and in person.

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