What a wonderful life I’ve had. I only wish I’d realized it sooner. – Colette

Thanksgiving starts a season of reflection and remembrance. I’m happy we start the season with the holiday of Thanksgiving involving feasting and gathering family and friends together. The Pilgrims started it by celebrating their survival and a good harvest. We may feel like we survived a rugged year ourselves, or we may be celebrating a year of great accomplishments and victories. Most likely the year held a combination of both these. Our human nature, however, tends to focus on the experiences that were difficult, things that didn’t work out, or the material goods we still don’t have rather than the bounty we do. 

I saw a suggestion on Facebook to make a list of the things you’re thankful for to share on Thanksgiving day.  So, I decided to try it. I let everyone in the family know a few days ahead of time to prepare a list of 10 things that they are thankful for this year.

For my own list it was easy to come up with 3 things, but then I was stuck. What next? I decided to go through my calendar and look over each month. Wow! If you’re like me, I forget a lot of the good things that have happened since January which seems like such a long time ago.  I was pleasantly surprised that there were 1 or 2 noteworthy events in each month. My list went from 3 praises to 15, and it could be an even longer list.

After our meal, I started sharing the items on my list. This really opened up a conversation and helped us all reflect on the many good things that happened this year. We shared experiences like spring break, a Washington D.C. school trip, summer vacations and camps.  We realized these could not have happened without God’s great provision of resources for us. We also gave thanks for good health and good health reports like no cancer, and my favorite from the dermatologist, “There’s nothing to worry about.”

I’m going to start my gratitude list for next year right away in December and continue it each month. That way I can live a full year of thankfulness. By the time Thanksgiving arrives again I trust I will have 20 to 30 items on my list. 

It’s important to start this season with the positive things that God has blessed us with this year. The season can bring back memories of seasons that were difficult in our past. Thanksgiving and Christmas times that were lonely or full of stress and pain. Let God bring healing to those painful times of the past and then focus on how He loves you and has been with you through all your life. Even when you didn’t realize it. 

And remember that this season is all about the beautiful truth that God sent His only son, Jesus, into the world on Christmas, to live a sinless life, die for our sins, overcome death and rise from the dead. He came to save us! He is Emmanuel, God with us.

Have a wonderful season of reflection. Merry Christmas!

Quote by Colette from Answers in The Heart published by Hazelden 1989