Thinking about thanks

This coming Thursday is a day established to celebrate in thankfulness the benefits of life, love and peace we enjoy. President Abraham Lincoln in his Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863 stated we should “gratefully acknowledge” the blessings given to us. Thankfulness is a deliberate act of the mind. It provides a perspective that sees the good … even in unpleasant circumstances. Consider these thoughts on being thankful:

• Two children were heard praying. One prayed, “Thank you, God, for making all the people, especially me.” The other one prayed, “Oh, Lord, thank you for making lightning bugs, and thank you for not making them fly high like birds, but low so I can catch them.”

• It is a perplexing situation for the atheist when he feels satisfaction and a need to express gratitude, but does not have a God to whom he can be thankful.

• On days when you think you are a nobody, make a list of all the people who know you by name. Start that list with God.

• There are two ways of being rich. One is to have all you want and the other is to be thankful for what you have.

• Sometimes we are so busy adding up troubles that we don’t have time to count our blessings.

Life is a gift. It is most enjoyable when seen through the lens of thanksgiving.

The Rev. Paul Killingsworth serves as pastor at Yuma First Assembly.