We tell ourselves that we will not do it again this year. And yet, here we are again, Thanksgiving week and we are still so busy that stopping to be thankful almost seems out of the question. Something must happen with the coming of fall or the changing of leaves. Someone … somewhere speeds up our calendars in order to try to rob us of our basic need to be joyful and thankful.

Wait a minute; let’s take a moment to think about Thanksgiving or just the everyday version of giving thanks. As far as I can tell, our calendars are not going to slow down anytime soon and being thankful should be much more than a once a year holiday. Isn’t it interesting that the apostle Paul places that thanks-giving reminder right in the middle of a whole host of other general admonitions? It could almost be lost in the crowd much like it’s almost lost in the midst of our busy schedules, and yet there it is in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”.

Think just minute … think about all that you have to be thankful for in your life. Grab that cold and callous calendar that supposedly runs your life and mark out time this week to not only be thankful but to actually thank God for all of His endless blessings He has bestowed upon you. And while you’re at it, go ahead and personally thank those around you who have blessed your life and have invested in you this year. Remember, while being thankful is important, actually taking the time to thank someone expresses from your heart just how grateful you really are for their love and contribution in your life.

Now, just think … you have already started being thankful this year by just reading my blog! Don’t stop here … find those in your life and say: “Thank you!” Oh, by the way … “Thank you”!