Be thankful in all circumstances…1 Thessalonians 5:18a

Gratitude.  It is a concept in nearly every major world religion.  You can read about thankfulness in the scriptures of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and more.  You hear of the concept in their sacred writings, philosophy and more. 

Whether you are giving thanks to God, or to the Universe, or to each other, gratitude is a healthy thing.  It reminds us that we do depend on each other that not one of us could survive with others, that all we have comes from somewhere else.

Take some time this week to think about some of the things you are thankful for.  Go a little deeper and think about those who you may rarely think about, for example;

Farmers producing our food

The hard workers who take away our trash

Underpaid retail workers who put up with so much abuse

And many more.

As you sit down to the Thanksgiving feast this year, truly be grateful for all you have,

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things has done,

in whom his world rejoices; who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way

with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.  Translator: Catherine Winkworth; Author: Martin Rinkart (1636)