Are You in a Thanksgiving Rut?

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

I Chronicles 16:34

            The children sat cross-legged on the floor in a lopsided circle, all eyes on me, waiting for the words of wisdom I would impart during the Children’s Moment at Church. It was the first Sunday in November so I felt obligated to talk about this being the month we focus our thoughts on what we are thankful for. If I asked around the circle, I knew I’d get the tried and true answers - Mommy, Daddy, toys, pets, friends - all good things to be thankful for. My intention was to expand their awareness.

            My first question to them was, “What is your favorite color?” I talked about Thanksgiving and being thankful. I told them that sometimes when we do something over and over every year, we can get stuck in a rut. My solution to that for this year is to use my favorite color as a starting place for being thankful. “Your assignment for the week,” I told those shining eyes and smiling faces, “is to look for things that are your favorite color, and then thank God for it.”

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 9:1

            What about you? Are you stuck in a rut when it comes to being thankful for the many blessings God has poured out for you from His great bounty? Do you need a rut-buster to help you with true thankfulness this year? Here are some suggestions in addition to the favorite color lookout:

AS EASY AS A-B-C:

            Go back to basics using the alphabet. Line the letters down the side of a piece of paper. Each day think of a least one item you are thankful for that begins with the letter of the day. On day eight, for instance, ponder on things beginning with the letter H. Since there are thirty days in November and only twenty-six letters, you can go freeform on the last four days.

SUPER-DOOPER CHALLENGE!

            For those who are up for the extreme challenge beginning on November 1^st next year, gather your paper and pens. For each day of the month, match the date with a list of things you are thankful for. On November 15^th, your list will include fifteen thoughts. By the end of the month, you will have thanked God for four hundred, sixty-five blessings with no duplications. Woo hoooo! Doesn’t that get your engines revved up with anticipation? If you are overwhelmed with God’s goodness to you and can’t wait until next year, go ahead and start today. I’d love to know when you complete this activity and what it meant to you.           

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I Thessalonians 5:18

Going out today with a heart full of joy and thanks-

Cathy