MoseleyWorld

Will I have my turkey deep-fried cajun style, smoked, roasted? Cornbread dressing or oyster stuffing? Mashed or sweet potatoes, or both? Green bean casserole with dried onions on top or barley (oh, thank you, but neither, I’m full.). With so many decisions to make, and I have not even mentioned all the choices it takes to get to your Thanksgiving destination (drive or fly, park at terminal or off-site) or planning your holiday shopping strategy , it’s no wonder I sometimes forget the real purpose of Thanksgiving.

For four hundred years (the first noted Thanksgiving services were held in Virginia as early as 1607), Americans have gathered late in the year to give thanks. To give thanks to God for their blessings. Wow. The pilgrims, many of whose family members died of starvation or sickness, found lots of things to be thankful for, even though they didn’t have Flat Screen TV’s, Blackberry’s or even the internet (gasp!).

Shortly before he delivered his 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln said, to a friend while walking amongst the graves at Gettysburg, “When I left Springfield [to assume the Presidency] I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ.”

So, whether you’re stuck in a terminal in DFW or SUX (Sioux City), stuffing yourself with stuffing or watching football (go Cowboys!), try to take a moment to remember why we celebrate Thanksgiving and give a shout-out to God and tell him Thanks.

I often take for granted some of the very basic gifts for which I should be thankful. Here are a few:

Thank You for a healthy child who is now 15 months old.

Thank You for my hearing, so I can enjoy hearing Saxon’s infectious laugh.

Thank You for my vision, which allows me to see the wonderful expressions on Saxon’s face when she learns or discovers uncharted ground.

Thank You for supportive family & friends.

Thank You for giving us the luxury to live in a safe place where Saxon can play in the front yard pointing at airplanes high in the sky.

Thank You for Saxon’s recent desire to give Dada kisses on a frequent basis.

Thank You so very much for putting Carey, the greatest wife + mom ever, in my life.

For what are YOU most thankful? Leave or comment or just think…and thank.

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