Ahhh, Thanksgiving! Turkey; dressing; gravy; mashed potatoes; pumpkin pie. . . the list just goes on and on and on!! This is the day for parades and families and food and games and . . . once again, the list goes on and on and on! Often times on this day we stop to reflect on the things for which we are most thankful. We have lists that, on this special day, go on and on and on—and then it’s over!! Thanksgiving is over and so is our thankfulness :-)!!
So—how do we learn to be thankful after the turkey is gone? How do we keep a heart of gratitude? We know it is important; the Word of God says so. Ephesians 5:20 says, “. . . giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Easier said than done?! Help is on the way!!
Have you ever watched the old Disney movie POLLYANNA? I love that movie! This little girl found the secret to having a grateful heart. Whenever she was sad, or someone else was grumbling about something, she would always play The Glad Game. The basis of the game was to think of the most positive outcome concerning the situation. Once, when her missionary family received a mission barrel, she was so excited because she had asked for a doll; however, instead of the doll she found a pair of crutches. Her father told her that she should be glad because she didn’t need to use them! Thus began the game!!
One of my staff struggles with very painful issues concerning her feet. She wears fancy flip flops for as long as she can each year. Not too long ago the ladies in the building were commenting on her flip flops because the weather was so cool. She began telling them a little about her painful feet when she suddenly realized there was a woman in the room that had no legs. She said, “I stopped talking and felt so awful. I knew that woman would be glad to have my feet. I decided right there and then that I would never complain about my feet again!”
So—there it is. Let’s all play The Glad Game! No matter how bad a situation–believe it or not, it can always, always be worse. God has a purpose and plan for everything that comes into our life. Let’s take each situation, find the very best thing in it, and give thanks to God for what He is going to do!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
