Let's Talk About Thanksgiving

You tell me that you have suffered great losses this year

And that you have not prospered, nor been blessed at all

Your savings are almost down to zero after the great economic fall.

You cannot go the places you were used to going

You cannot shower your family with treats and gifts

You barely can make ends meet while demands are soaring.

Your car broke down and had to be towed at a most inopportune time

The roof started leaking and was damaged in several big storms

The insurance went up and the doctor bills have surpassed the norms.

But wait, what about the surprise deduction made on that roof repair

And what about the big sale that stocked your pantry with some of the best fare

And what about the items found brand new to give as small gifts?

What about the simple little thing that repaired your car with all surprise

And what about that friend who came to the rescue with his help and might

And what about that little, inexpensive pill that made you feel better overnight?

No, there was no surprise income, nor windfall of thousands of dollars that appeared at your door

But God has sent every single thing to supply needs, one by one, as He has so many times before

They added up to far more than you could have guessed; where actually in the end you spent less.

How many mornings have we risen to find we have slept safely through the night

How many days have we traveled and worked protected from harm along the way

How many times have we counted sunshine for work or travel on a special day? (Ref. Psalm 91)

The trip to the dentist had been delayed, but no damage was found, no more outlay

The trip to the doctor reveals all is about the same and no added costs were added that day

Nothing added to an already full plate and God's gifts add up to income when said and done.

Your house is still standing through the last wintry cold, many storms and summer's heat

Little repairs you could do yourself spared large bills and you've kept your family safe

Your loved ones are alive and with you and life is easier by God's loving grace.

As if we are doing all of it at the feet of our dear, loving Lord, let us set aside the day to thank Him

Whatever we choose to do to celebrate Thanksgiving, to show our thanks and joy is not the least

When we share the best we have with friends and kin whether a bowl of soup, a pizza or a feast.

Yes, it is Thanksgiving and time to count all the little things that have made our lives stable

Time to turn eyes to Heaven with thanks, for nothing is so beautiful as His gifts free of charge

And nothing so wonderful as a full heart saying thanks for the little things that have added up large.

Picture all that you can of the sweet, free and beautiful things in the world that God created for us. That would fit this poem that is saying, "So, you do not have the frills you used to enjoy, but time to count all the things that are taken for granted." Autumn is full of God's gifts - the sun's rays slanted a different way, sunshine catching the wonderful changing colors of the leaves, dried stems and twigs against the frost-nipped grasses, pumpkins and gourds in gorgeous fall colors, flocks of birds flying south for the winter, red berries turning red hinting of Christmas, red birds on the wing, frisky cats and dogs playing and crisp white clouds in a blue sky and on and on... Just enjoying being alive and having family and friends close by.

October 12, 2011