Nope, it's not Christmas!

As I was shopping this past weekend Halloween candy was flying off the shelves at 75% off.  Meanwhile workers were frantically making room for Christmas decorations, trees, cards, etc.  What's missing here?  Oh that's right, we skipped that holiday that seems to be forgotten, overlooked, unimportant each year....uhhh, it's coming to me, oh yeah, Thanksgiving.  That's it, Thanksgiving.  That holiday when Charlie Brown doesn't want to invite Peppermint Patty to his house for dinner because he has plans with his grandparents.  But of course, she being Peppermint Patty and Charlie Brown being the push over he is can't say no to her.  Come on people!  I don't think our forefathers were quite that shallow to celebrate a holiday just to have a roast turkey and stuffing.

The holiday is celebrated because we (ALL OF US!) have so much to be thankful for every day, every moment of our lives.  Check out what Wikipedia lists as "Thanksgiving".

Thanksgiving is a holiday to express thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation to God, family and friends for which all have been blessed of material possessions and relationships. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. This holiday has since moved away from its religious roots.

As an American I have so many privileges - going to church, getting an education, freedoms that some around the world couldn't even imagine!  Yet we have become so spoiled and ungrateful that I am sickened by my own society.  Sadly, Wikipedia even states that the celebration has moved away from its roots.


thankful for a drink


Read it again; "appreciation to God, family and friends..."  That's right, God!  Thankfulness to God.  Oh friends, even in our darkest moments of sickness, pain, heartache, despair, as victims, as perpetrators, as whatever we find ourselves to be, WE can be thankful to God for all He does for us.  

Here is a chorus of a song that reminds me of what we must do to truly become humbled and thankful -- lay down ourselves at the cross. 

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross

"Lord I lay me down" is my favorite part....the hardest, but the best.  I pray that each of us will lay ourselves down and receive the mercy and grace God offers us.  I pray that we will become softened as we count our blessings and remember daily the bounty we have to be grateful for in this life.

Thankful, Sheryl