“Praise the Lord!  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.” -Psalm 106:1

Every night at our dinner table, we recount our day with sharing a good and bad thing that happened.  We recently added a new category, “what are you thankful for”, or “what did you appreciate that someone did for you today?”  Shifting our focus to being thankful and appreciating the efforts of the people around us, helps us to find the positive and creates an attitude of gratitude which is essential during these difficult times.  It is so easy to find something to complain about, but that starts us down a mental path of negativity and despair.  God desires us to remember the countless blessings around us more than just once a year.

The story of Psalm 106 recounts the entire history of the people of Israel escaping slavery in Egypt.  It acknowledges their failure to be faithful to God and not trusting the Lord.  AND it shows how God’s faithfulness is not contingent upon ours.  THANKS BE TO GOD!

As you enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday this week, even if it is vastly different than years past or what you would have hoped, may you find an attitude of gratitude in your heart and in your mind.  God is good.  God’s love endures forever.  And perhaps there are amazing gifts to be gained through this season as well, if only we can see them.

Gracious God, we give you thanks for your protection and gifts, and we give you glory, for you have filled the world with enough for everyone. God, as we look at all the bounties of the earth, teach us how to give a sacrifice of praise. For you have created us this way: that the more we give thanks, the better human beings we are. Help us to live into Thanksgiving, even as we wait for the fullness of your kingdom. Amen. – Prayer adapted with credit to Katy Stenta