The old man shuffled with several awkward packages in his hands, clearly unable to open the door in front of him. The teenage girl noticed, which in itself was a bit of a miracle. She smiled as she held the door open. He smiled a broad smile back.
“Thank you, little miss. That was awfully kind of you. You made my day. God sent me an angel in you. Thank you, thank you.”
Both faces–the young and the not-so-young–lit up with the kind of joy that only comes from gratitude. He, for her help. She, for him noticing.
Oh, I that I would notice!
As we enter Thanksgiving week I’ve been reminded that giving thanks isn’t merely about being thankful in general—although it’s certainly that. But it’s more. Thanksgiving is about saying “thank you” to the Lord. It’s about pausing long enough to breathe in the goodness of God. Slowing down long enough to see—really see—all that God has done for us, given us and graced us with. Both things material and things immaterial.
His presence. No matter what.
His comfort.
His guidance.
His provision–in big things and in small.
His creation.
His love.
His mercy and grace and salvation.
His family.
This Thanksgiving may you find a moment to stop, to pause, to notice. To breathe deeply of His presence and His care and His love. For you.
He holds open the door wide. Do you see it?
Me, too.
Let’s whisper our prayer of thanks.
“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.”
A Fun Thanksgiving Idea
Have everyone write something they are thankful to God for on a sheet of paper. Do not write your name on your paper. Fold and place into a basket. During Thanksgiving dinner take turns reading what others are thankful for and try to guess who said what.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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