Be ye thankful

The giving of thanks expands one’s thinking processes. It takes us away from the everyday trivial matters and places us in a higher realm. This process usually comes to light around the third Thursday of November when we sit around a table with family and friends to celebrate the holiday we know as Thanksgiving which is only observed in America!

Today, as I write this piece, I want to take you away from the obvious…I know and you know the main things we all give thanks for on this day. But what about the “little” things that we take for granted the whole year thing. They come and go and we never bother to tell God how thankful we are for His “everyday” blessings. Today I will.

Be ye thankful … for loved ones passed on who meant so much to us.

Be ye thankful … for loved ones still with us who make our lives worthwhile.

Be ye thankful … for living in America … a clean, warm bed at night, food and clean water and a warm shower … clothes to wear that are not tattered and torn.

Be ye thankful … for the opportunity of education for everyone who is interested in pursuing it.

Be ye thankful … for the right to worship in our own way without fear of persecution.

Be ye thankful …for a nation based on democracy and not anarchy.

Be ye thankful … for our faithful military. Those fallen heroes on battlefields of the past; those veterans of more recent wars; and those serving now in dangerous foreign climates who keep our America free.

Be ye thankful … for the smile of new babies who enter this world with such great promise in their tiny faces.

Be ye thankful … for the animals around us that bring great pleasure. Pets are literally members of our family. One crawls into out lap and we are instantly comforted. Deer may eat our flowers and squirrels may eat our birdseed, but they remain beautiful animals to watch and they are God’s creatures, too.

Be ye thankful … for the sunrise and sunset–one as beautiful as the other.

Be ye thankful … for overlooking a river or the ocean and feeling its majesty as the waves rush in and out, kissing the sand.

Be ye thankful … for the wonderful taste of chili on a cold night … or Tex-Mex … or hot fried shrimp served up from the coast.

Be ye thankful … for the books, movies, and other entertainment that give you pleasure and take you away from the mundane.

Be ye thankful … for the first jonquils you see in springtime.

Be ye thankful … for the sight of leaves turning to red and gold in the fall.

Be ye thankful … for the flakes of snow we sometimes see here in our southern climes.

Be ye thankful … for that person next door who is always there and checks on you during hard times.

Be ye thankful … for the hospital and medical staff who tend to our physical needs.

Be ye thankful … for our village/town and the beauty we sometimes take for granted. Also the friendliness we find everywhere in our great state.

Be ye thankful … for beautiful music to soothe our tired spirits.

Be ye thankful … for the taste of purple hull peas, fresh ripe tomatoes, crisp green onions and cornbread.

Be ye thankful … for “Thank you’s” and a smile from a friend or stranger who keeps us going on when times are hard.

Be ye thankful … for a warm fire in the fireplace and the smell of a turkey baking in the oven as we await the arrival of loved ones.

Thanksgiving is not an occasion. It is a spiritual celebration. It is a time to “Be ye thankful” and to “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Brenda Miles is an award-winning columnist and author living in Hot Springs Village. She responds to all e-mail sent to brenstar@att.net.