“Give thanks with a grateful heart.” Those words, the beginning of a song in many church hymnals, certainly should create an atmosphere for the upcoming weeks.
The words should set a year- round tone, but from now until Christmas is when most folks will stop for a minute to focus on the good things in their lives instead of the challenges. And this is a good mindset to have, even if only for a brief time.
Thankfulness usually turns to the most obvious. When people think of being thankful, family and friends most often come to mind. Jobs often fall in line or maybe a home, community, church or even school. Then there are groups, clubs, organizations and social connections.
But what happens when we start peeling away the layers of our blessings?
Everyone probably understands, at least if they read this column regularly, that I’m thankful for my dog. I tell folks Ruger keeps me sane. He forgives. He has bad habits, but we get past those. He probably thinks the same about me. He is an outlet, much like some might enjoy fishing or drag racing.
But peel away the layers of having a dog. To have one, or any pet, there has to be money for food, shots, flea collars, toys, vet visits. Depending on the kind and size of the pet, the list can go on and on. Sometimes those things do not come easily. Be thankful for being able to provide them.
Then there is the time pets require. To have that time is a blessing, one that might be taken for granted, especially if plenty of it exists.
We can worship as we choose, something that is also taken for granted. It’s true, it’s often mentioned, but it also seems to receive only lip service and not heartfelt appreciation.
We could go into our other freedoms, the point should be clear. Freedoms should be among those things for which we say thanks every day.
Listening to a radio program out of Chattanooga last week, the announcer was talking about someone he knew who was homeless, living on the street.
That person had called, needing a ride. The announcer obliged.
The announcer was talking how he, and the rest of us, take having a car to get where we need to go for granted, when we should be thankful. He could have peeled back a layer and added the money to put gas and oil into the car and pay for insurance.
Thinking of the homeless, we say thanks for the food on our tables, but do we really acknowledge how thankful we should be? Or what about the blankets on our beds?
Even in our worst circumstances, whatever those might be, we can still find reasons to be thankful if we will only peel away the layers.
All we have to do is look at conditions in other countries, or even in some parts of our own and see countless blessings, large and small.
And never take life itself for granted.
So, as you “give thanks with a grateful heart,” Happy Thanksgiving!
Glenn Harbison is publisher/editor of The News Observer. He can be reached at 706-632-2019 or by email at glenn@thenewsobserver.com.