Almost Thanksgiving...one more reminder!

        It's almost Thanksgiving Day!  Yahoo!  So one more reminder of thankfulness--
        "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Col.3:15-17)
        That's a hat-trick of thankfulness!  Christ's peace ruling in our hearts...and be thankful.  Reading God's Word, teaching and encouraging one another, singing hymns...with thankfulness.  And then, to cover any and every possibility--doing everything in Jesus' name...giving thanks.  Don't see much wiggle room in there for grumbling, fretting, complaining, and worrying, do you?
        John Henry Jowett put it this way: "Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion.  Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception.  Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude. Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road."         Thanksgiving day is tomorrow, but oh how I pray we can daily, consistently, joyfully give thanks to God in all things.  All I know is that I'm a mighty good forgetter.  One moment I'm reading about gratitude...and the next, I find myself fussing about the traffic (not that anything like that happened to me today as I rushed from Whole Foods to Target.  Sigh).
         You know, it's not that we need to hear all these radical new truths.  There really aren't any shocking new truths--and if it's new, it's almost certainly not true!  Instead, we need to be reminded afresh of the great old things we know to be true and important, but that we forget in the hustle and bustle of life or the big or little disappointments that come our way.
        Staying in God's Word.  Obedience.  Love.  By faith, not by feelings.  Forgive.  Receive grace, give grace. Seeking first His kingdom.  Living by faith, not by sight.  Giving thanks in all things.  
        The Lord Jesus is always the answer.  And gratitude is always the path to peace and joy in Him.  Not just thankfulness on Thanksgiving day, but every day.
        So thank You, Father, for sending Jesus, our greatest Treasure.  Thank You for the gift of eternal life.  Thank You for forgiveness and grace, wonderful grace.  Thank You for your Word. Thank You for the wondrous gifts of family and friends.  Thank You for your magnificent world.  Thank You for our senses to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch all the gifts of your planet.  Thank You for our nation, our freedom, and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to give us that freedom.  Thank you for the consolations of home, books, dogs, gardens, music, food, laughter, and on and on.
        Keep us faithful and thankful, Lord.  Keep us mindful that we live this day before your face, under your authority, and to your glory...with hearts overflowing with gratitude.
        To God be the glory.