Slideshow image

Dear friends,

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we near this most American of holidays, I am thinking about turkey and dressing and fall weather and football and people who are dear to me. I am also thinking about gratitude, and the simple truth that it is easy to be thankful when things are going well. The thing is -- we are called to live grateful lives every day. Some call it living with an attitude of gratitude.

Easier said than done, right? There have been times in my life, including some Thanksgivings, when gratitude was not easy to come by. Today I share with you some reflections on gratitude that I invite you to make your own.

From Psalm 9:
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

From Colossians 3:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. From John F. Kennedy: As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

From Maya Angelou:
This is a wonderful day. I have never seen this one before.

And from A.A. Milne:
Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.

My prayer for each of you is that your heart be able to hold a large amount of gratitude, today and every day.  

Grace and peace,
Pastor Kim