It's Monday. And I'm still giving thanks. Especially this week, as we prepare for Thanksgiving. And I'm having my children exercise their own gratitude attitudes by creating their own list of 10 things, to be shared, if they choose, as we gather around the table on Thursday.
For now, here's my enfeebled attempt:
21. Peace. There is war everywhere, and we pray for peace. For now, we are allowed to live in peace, without immediate danger or fear for ourselves or our children or our property. Thank You, Lord.
22. Abundance. Prosperity. Some are feeling the constriction of tough economic times, most are working hard to provide for their families, all I know are stretching every dollar to meet the bills. And still, we have to recognize that here, however bad it feels, we are prosperous. We are warm and well-fed in spite of the difficulties we face. We are not living in cardboard boxes or digging in dumpsters to fill the gnawing. Much of the world can hardly imagine our prosperity. Thank You, Lord.
23. Technology. Yes. The blogosphere, the Internet, email; these things allow us to connect with others we might never otherwise have met, to support and teach one another so much (like those in the Gratitude Community!), to live within a real family of believers and pray-ers. Thank You, Lord.
24. Electricity. I like to live without it, to shut off the lights and let the warm glow of candle fill my nostrils and soften every edge, to shut down the hum of all things consuming, to focus on people and not stuff. We do not have anything electric in our living/dining room except the lamps and we like to shut them off and enjoy the quiet. But. When we do that it is a conscious decision, and I am very conscious that it can all be turned back on in an instant. And the food is still being preserved by the refrigerator and the phone will still ring if there is a need and the computer is still holding on to all my precious data. Electricity keeps my calendar in order, our food fresh and easily cooked, and allows us to reach out to a very large world beyond our reach otherwise. Thank You, Lord.
25. Our National Heritage. It is a brief heritage, in comparison to many countries, but rich. Including the establishment of Thanksgiving (to whom to the godless think we are giving thanks?), and a history of generosity and selflessness in the face of difficulty. Thank You, Lord.
26. Representative Government. Because checks and balances work, even when they work poorly. But we still vote in this country, if we choose to (and thank you to all who DID vote this month!). Thank You, Lord.
27. Others' needs. Because others' needs force us out of ourselves, to reach out in support and love, to transcend our "I" by giving ourselves away and pouring ourselves out over the needs of others. Because if others did not need, we would just demand. Thank You, Lord.
28. Others' wants. Because they help us see the realities of our own wants, to recognize that there is a difference between what we need and what we want. Because if others did not want, we would all become hopelessly tyrranical. Thank You, Lord.
29. Warm food on the table, warm wine in the cups, warm welcome in each heart. Because the warmth we feel from others is really God-love reaching through them to us. Thank You, Lord.
30. Family gatherings. For all the sit-com noise ridiculing extended families, families are our "home," and there is still "no place like home." Thank You, Lord.
A blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving weekend to you and all those you love.
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