Small Thanksgivings

 

Here we are, a few days before Thanksgiving!  Families have a variety of traditions to help bring forward the importance of taking time to be thankful on this special day.  When our children were little, we used to pass out construction paper strips at dinner.  Each would write what they were thankful for, and we would make a paper chain.  I always enjoyed hearing about thanks from our children’s perspective. 

Last week, the blog discussed ways for us to be watchful in thanksgiving, seeking out times throughout our days where we were blessed and ensuring we provided praise to God, immediately.  This week we are focusing on the little blessings in our lives.  Today, we highlight the small things in each of our lives that provide us with a sense of peace.  This may be a small experience or a small item that provides you with a pause at that moment and a heart of gratitude.  I am certain that we all have these, throughout the day, small thanksgivings.

What do small thanksgivings look like?  It could be the five minutes a busy mom finds before the family wakes up – her ability to breath in deep the day ahead.  Perhaps it is the executive about to enter a meeting and grabs a coffee for comfort.  Envision an elderly member of our community who receives a smile from a passerby.  I have experienced being in the grocery store in the flower section and seeing a flower that reminds me of my father who passed.  Small thanksgivings – moments where our hearts were full and we found peace in the simplicity of our days.

Friends, small thanksgivings are a vital part of the numerous ways God blesses us.  God drops these moments into our day to remind us of His goodness.  I have often found myself moving so fast that I did not stop and enjoy the small thanksgiving He gave to me.  It takes nothing out of our day to move our thought to appreciate the moment, breathe in peace, and provide thanks to God. 

I pray, as we walk through the days ahead of us, especially during the busy holiday season, we take the time to experience small thanksgivings.  What has been placed within your day that brings a smile to your face?  What has been shared by God that brought you peace?  Those are the treasured moments where providing thanks is so important.  May you take the moment to say, “Thank you God, I needed that!” 

I pray that Thanksgiving provides you with an opportunity to be thankful for the small blessings in your life along with those that were seen through a ‘watchful eye.’  May the grace of God fill your heart and homes with thanksgiving and joy.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Video that Compliments Blog Post:  Small Thanksgivings

Dearest God, thank you for the small thanksgivings in my life.  May I take the time to ensure I pause long enough to realize the blessings you have bestowed upon me.  Amen!