In Canada this is our Thanksgiving weekend when we celebrate the harvest and rejoice in all God has blessed us with. Seeing as we live in one of the best areas of the world, there is much to be grateful for.

This year I made a commitment to every day write in my journal 5 things I am grateful for. I call them my gratitudes. My father was an excellent example of being thankful. Early in life he made a decision to not complain. He lived that out to his dying day which endeared him to his caregivers. One of them told me of an incident when he was first moved into a care facility. He didn’t like it. He especially didn’t like sharing a room with a man he didn’t know. Each night he knelt at the side of his bed and prayed aloud. The nurse said she overheard his prayer one night. He said, “Help me not complain even though I don’t like my situation.” He went out of his way to find things he could like and reasons to be happy.

I want to share some of the things I am thankful for. In no particular order.

1. Family.

2. The birds and flowers outside my window.

3. Sunshine. Sunrises. Sunsets.

4. Meaningful, satisfying work–both in caregiving and writing.

5. Friends, old and new.

6. Our garden. Yes, despite the work I enjoy the produce.

7.  The internet, computers, email–all of which have made it easier to research, easier to write books and easier to keep in touch with people.

8. The Bible–a source of encouragement, instruction, hope.

9. Church. I feel truly blessed to be able to attend a church where the singing is noisy, the people friendly and the message clear and crisp.

10. God’s love especially as it was demonstrated through Christ. I recently read a little poem somewhere. 

‘I love you big–this much,’ a child will say

And thrust his arms out wide.

So baby Christ grew up to love that way,

With outstretched arms He died

‘I love you big–this much.’

What are you especially thankful for at this time of year? Do you try and cultivate a spirit of gratefulness?

Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.