So, the turkey was carved. the “sides table” was heavily laden, the dishes are washed, the pots are scrubbed, and the day of family gathering has passed. Our hearts are joyful, our praises are raised, our tummies are more than satisfied, and now we turn to Christmas preparation. The next few weeks will see our family filled with rehearsals and performances at every level, gift exchanges, pulling out traditional recipes for another season of excesses “just because it’s Christmas,” and we’ll express generosity wherever we can. For Grandma and Grandpa, we will continue to shrink our influence, watch our kids take over the tasks we can no longer accomplish, and rehearse our “I remembers” while the world changes around us. Our season of life changes just as the seasons do. Where has 2025 gone?
Now, from Thanksliving: Attitude of Gratitude for a few more days, then to Advent Adventures and the season approaching Christmas. And life goes on.
Day 28
For years I kept a gratitude journal. Somewhere along the way, probably in one of our ten moves, lightning the moving van’s load, I abandoned that discipline and those dog-eared pages. However, I remember some of the things for which I was, and continue to be, thankful. Sunshine; friends; family; animals; flowers; color; the seashore; good food; a roof over my head, however humble; paper and pencil; my car; indoor plumbing; apples; peacocks; America; love; speech; political campaigns; waterfalls; wildflowers; leisure afternoons; antique quilts; music; health; shoes; kites; laughter; circuses; cellos; castles; clean sheets and a long night’s sleep.
In no apparent order, these are a few of my favorite things for which I now express my attitude of gratitude for any and all to read.
Today’s Scripture: Psalm 136 is a litany of thankfulness to God for his historical presence, and His very presence. Read it today, and develop your own litany.
Prayer: With grateful praise, O Lord, I sing to Your Name, songs, spiritual songs, and choruses, loudly, with hands lifted high, for your blessings too numerous to count, more than the stars or the grains of sand. You are merciful, slow to anger, heal my diseases, comfort my soul, and I am abundantly grateful. But most of all, I thank You for the sacrifice of Jesus. In His Name. Amen.
Day 28 Scripture references about memories of God’s blessings.
Psalm 103
Psalm 105
Psalm 107
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Let Israel say: ‘His love endures forever.’ Let the house of Aaron say: ‘His love endures forever.’ Let those who fear the Lord say: ‘His love endures forever.’” (Psalm 118: 1-4)
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
“He tends His flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in His arms, and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40: 11)
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