It is no little thing to awaken in our warm, snug homes at Smith Mountain Lake. To have food in our refrigerator, running water, plenty of blankets and clothes, dozens of pairs of shoes, and money to buy many other things far beyond what we “need”; are incredible and amazing blessings!! And best of all most of us have loving relationships with someone, that brings it all to life. You are wondering if this is leading to a sermon on starving children in Africa. No, nor is it a discourse on the homeless in America.
It is simply me, sitting at my computer, looking out the window, and thinking about how easy it is to take all that we have for granted. It could all be gone so quickly. People can die, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes can wipe out possessions, and economic crashes can demolish life savings and investments, and jobs. My mind whirls with a variety of thoughts about the fragility of life…what kind of attitude do I have toward inconveniences; am I a complainer or am I thankful for all that I have been blessed with; what would I have left if all that I put so much dependence in was gone?
Is there anything eternal, lasting, or imperishable? And if there is more to life than what we see and touch, then am I the kind of person who will be deserving of participation in that kind of world?
I believe there is a God who is eternal, and that there is a life beyond this one. I want to be the kind of person God would want with Him in that life, and I am trying to be that kind of person with His help. I need to have a stronger determination to pour out gratitude every day for the overwhelming blessings in my life; to love the people precious to me while I have them; and not to take for granted my water heater, toilet paper, my imperfect job, or the ability to see through these reading glasses I wear.
Thanksgiving…it’s not a day, it’s a way of life.