Thanksgiving is more than a day. It’s a lifestyle. So, in honor of this week of turning our attention toward gratitude (and in hopes of it lasting much longer than a week) I researched the internet and found some encouraging, inspiring and interesting thoughts.
• It’s often said that whatever you focus on grows larger. That’s true for fears, hopes, dreams, offenses—and blessings. Gratitude focuses so closely on the good that the bad can become almost unnoticeable.
• Gratitude shifts your perspective. It makes you realize the glass isn’t half-empty. In most cases, it’s actually more than 90 percent full. If you don't think it is, you might need to focus more on what you're thankful for.
• Thankfulness is healthy. People who are continually grateful are generally in better health than those who aren’t. Conversely, complaining (the opposite of thankfulness) is at least as unhealthy as having a poor diet. The difference in physical symptoms between thankful people and bitter people is startling.
• Thankfulness is a strong anti-depressant. Sometimes simply stating your gratitude out loud—even just two or things you’re grateful for, no matter how small—can change your mood for the rest of the day.
• Gratitude is a powerful prayer. You get more from thanking God than begging God. And thanking God in advance for something promised but not yet given is a profound statement of faith.
• Thankfulness is an act of humility. You’re acknowledging that you’re dependent, not self-sufficient. And God is drawn to humble hearts.
Source(se) various websites and authors, some unknown
Hereunder is a prayer of Thanksgiving from our own United Church of Canada, as found in Celebrate God's Presence: A Book of Services for The United Church of Canada (UCPH, 2000)
God, giver of all good,
you continually pour your benefits upon us.
Age after age the living wait upon you and find
that your faithfulness has no end,
that your care is unfailing.
We praise you that the mystery of life
is a mystery of infinite goodness.
We praise you
for the order and constancy of nature;
for the beauty and bounty of the earth;
for day and night, summer and winter,
seedtime and harvest;
for the varied gifts of loveliness which every season brings.
We give you thanks
for all the comfort and joy of life,
for our homes, for our friends,
and for all the love, sympathy, and goodwill of all people.
Amen.
Happy Thanksgiving to all
Pastor Beryl, DLM