“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”
–Willie Nelson, singer and, apparently, philosopher!
Just two days to Thanksgiving, so it’s time for the easiest post I write each year: What I’m thankful for. If you’ve been reading me for years, you’ll see some repeats. Honestly, some of these things I don’t think about often, but others I thank God for every day. Okay, here we go:
• U.S. citizenship. All of us won that lottery!
• Democracy. It survived … again.
• Peaceful transitions of power. Like our health, it’s not appreciated until we lose it.
• Family, and the love and support that come with it.
• Volunteers. Time is our limited resource, and some give of it unselfishly.
• Grandchildren. If you’re a grandparent, nothing else needs to be said.
• Our four freedoms.
• Church family.
• First responders.
• Teachers, nurses, and ministers. Underpaid, they labor on.
• College football.
• Books. The fact that some people in our world have no access to them is incomprehensible.
• Benevolent organizations. They heed Jesus’ call to care for “the least of these.”
• Houses of worship.
• Friends.
• The ability to agree to disagree.
• Grace. For me, the most beautiful word in the Bible.
• Second chances (see “Grace”).
• North Carolina’s trout streams.
• A good cup of hot coffee, especially if shared with a friend.
• Independent bookstores, where we can lose ourselves in volumes of well-constructed words.
• Readers. Especially those of you who slog through this blog faithfully every two weeks!
• Last, and actually least, Ocean Spray cranberry sauce … but it sure is good!
May you and your loved ones have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Take a moment this year to reflect on, and thank God for, all of your blessings (just like Willie does!).
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“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”
–Willie Nelson, singer and, apparently, philosopher!
Just two days to Thanksgiving, so it’s time for the easiest post I write each year: What I’m thankful for. If you’ve been reading me for years, you’ll see some repeats. Honestly, some of these things I don’t think about often, but others I thank God for every day. Okay, here we go:
• U.S. citizenship. All of us won that lottery!
• Democracy. It survived … again.
• Peaceful transitions of power. Like our health, it’s not appreciated until we lose it.
• Family, and the love and support that come with it.
• Volunteers. Time is our limited resource, and some give of it unselfishly.
• Grandchildren. If you’re a grandparent, nothing else needs to be said.
• Our four freedoms.
• Church family.
• First responders.
• Teachers, nurses, and ministers. Underpaid, they labor on.
• College football.
• Books. The fact that some people in our world have no access to them is incomprehensible.
• Benevolent organizations. They heed Jesus’ call to care for “the least of these.”
• Houses of worship.
• Friends.
• The ability to agree to disagree.
• Grace. For me, the most beautiful word in the Bible.
• Second chances (see “Grace”).
• North Carolina’s trout streams.
• A good cup of hot coffee, especially if shared with a friend.
• Independent bookstores, where we can lose ourselves in volumes of well-constructed words.
• Readers. Especially those of you who slog through this blog faithfully every two weeks!
• Last, and actually least, Ocean Spray cranberry sauce … but it sure is good!
May you and your loved ones have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Take a moment this year to reflect on, and thank God for, all of your blessings (just like Willie does!).
10 Comments
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Thank you Tim. So many of these I often forget to be truly thankful for. Happiest of Thanksgiving to you and yours!
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Thanksgiving is something I celebrate each and every day. I have been blessed with good health, a loving family (and that includes four wonderful grandchildren), many opportunities to be involved in community and another day to be the change I wish to see.
Happy Thanksgiving Tim!!! -
Happy Thanksgiving from the mountains! You and Carolyn are a new item on our list of this year’s gratitudes!
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I’m thankful for prayer. It has gotten me through more than I can mention. Tim, your list and mine are about the same. I love cranberry sauce too, AND Willie Nelson. I’m thankful I have your thoughts to read on Tuesday. I haven’t disagreed on anything yet!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Carolyn, Stephanie and Greta. -
I’ll add (especially after hurricane Helene): dry and intact homes, heat, electricity, hot and cold running water, communication (like phones, internet, etc.). Grateful to the Lord for all His good gifts, especially Jesus.
Thank you Tim. So many of these I often forget to be truly thankful for. Happiest of Thanksgiving to you and yours!
And to you too, Marilyn!
Thanksgiving is something I celebrate each and every day. I have been blessed with good health, a loving family (and that includes four wonderful grandchildren), many opportunities to be involved in community and another day to be the change I wish to see.
Happy Thanksgiving Tim!!!
A nice list, Bruce!
Happy Thanksgiving from the mountains! You and Carolyn are a new item on our list of this year’s gratitudes!
Well, aren’t you sweet, Chris. I should have said “Friends–old and new!” Happy Thanksgiving to you and Fred. Stay warm up there!
I’m thankful for prayer. It has gotten me through more than I can mention. Tim, your list and mine are about the same. I love cranberry sauce too, AND Willie Nelson. I’m thankful I have your thoughts to read on Tuesday. I haven’t disagreed on anything yet!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Carolyn, Stephanie and Greta.
The power of prayer, right? Happy Thanksgiving to you and Paul!
I’ll add (especially after hurricane Helene): dry and intact homes, heat, electricity, hot and cold running water, communication (like phones, internet, etc.). Grateful to the Lord for all His good gifts, especially Jesus.
Good list, Laurie–many things we often take for granted, including Jesus!