Holidays

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This prayer and accompanying thoughts come with love and best wishes for a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Lord,

I just don't feel like being thankful today. I'm tired and discouraged. The state of the world is awful, and we see hatred and selfishness eating away at the hearts of men and women everywhere.

But, You're telling me it is good that I have a heart to 'feel' and a mind active enough to ponder the condition of the world.

People are dealing with so much unfairness in their lives. They have to struggle in order to make a living and provide for their families. Some are even fighting battles with illness.

However, You're telling me because they are struggling with unfairness, that shows they know what is right. They are providing for their families, and that means they care about their loved ones. And, if they are fighting against illness that indicates there is hope, and the battle can be won!

Oh, but no one has time to appreciate what You've given to them. People are too busy, rushing about with deadlines and worldly priorities.

You're telling me that we do know there is beauty all around us and that Your blessings are plentiful, just waiting for us. But, we need to take the time and reach out.

Let's see, having a loving heart, using an active mind, knowing what is right, caring about loved ones, having hope to defeat illness, and seeing the beauty of Your blessings all around us… You're telling me there is much to be thankful for, after all!

Our thankfulness can shine even in the midst of our struggles, like beautiful flowers that sometimes grow up in the cracks of the sidewalk. Their loveliness is even greater because of where they're blooming. Their splendor would likely be lost in the fields with all the other flowers; but in the sidewalk they provide an unexpected, welcome sight.

May we all be 'flowers in the sidewalk' and brighten the corners of our world, appreciating and sharing all that God has given us.

This prayer is dedicated to the memory of my Mother, Gwen, who used to stop and appreciate little flowers growing in the sidewalk, blooming alone, yet having such great beauty.

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