The Last Blog For November 2008

Did this month go by fast for you? It did for me.
So much has happened this month. I remember...a President-Elect was chosen, the economy continued to plunge, a great many people lost not only their homes but their jobs, and a dear friend of mine went into the hospital. But despite some things that might make me feel depressed, I realize there are many things I feel grateful
for.
Many of us will celebrate Thanksgiving Day on November 27th. And although Thanksgiving receives far less attention than Halloween and Christmas, in the USA it's a very important holiday.
Many of us will celebrate in our homes or the homes of friends or family. Some people will celebrate Thanksgiving Day at a local restaurant. Some will be thankful for food received from a local shelter.
Today, most of us celebrate Thanksgiving Day by enjoying turkey with "all the trimmings." Others may have traditional, ethnic, or religious recipes, or a special food item that their family always serves at Thanksgiving dinner.
Although American traditions of Thanksgiving revolve around a huge and lavish meal, we often forget that Thanksgiving Day is the time to give thanks to our God for the things He has bestowed upon us and upon this great nation. And there's no nation in the world that has more to be thankful for than us. Even in our difficult
times.
Granted, as tradition has it in most families, a special prayer of thanks precedes the meal. In many homes, family members will each mention something they are very thankful for. But often that's where the thankfulness seems to stop. Many will kick back and relax after their huge meal, watch television (football is usually on) or go to a movie. The day will come and go, and the next thought will be "Here comes Christmas."
It's been a long time since that first Thanksgiving Day in 1621 when the Pilgrims and the Indians sat down together to share their fall harvest. They, too, thanked God for the good crop and for being with them during their difficult times.
That's what I'm doing on Thanksgiving Day...being thankful for all the wonderful blessings God has bestowed upon me and, at the same time, asking Him to bless our men and women in the armed services, no matter which land they are in. There's no nation in the world that has more to be thankful for than us. And the economy will turn around, and people will get jobs again, and my dear friend in the hospital will improve.
I'm going to keep these prayers of thankfulness going all the way to the New Year...and beyond.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving, y'all.