Having Thanksgiving as a national holiday ranks as one of the top things that make me proud to be an American. I love everything about the occasion – the gathering of family and friends, the feasting on favorite foods, and the pause before the all-too-often craziness of the Christmastide to come.
Of course, the best is the pause – but only if we allow ourselves to make it a full stop to contemplate our blessings. As a woman, and for years now, the designated family holiday coordinator, it could be easy for me to allow the pressure of pulling off a big dinner to relegate the gratitude reflection to the back burner.
But that’s the good thing about getting older. Holidays come every year and, with repetition, I’ve learned better ways to plan that avoid stress and still allow me to “go with the flow.” Time has also brought new faces to the table, as well as new perspective on the familiar faces. We’ll all growing and, hopefully, each year we learn better how to see into each other’s hearts.
Yet, it occurs to me this year, that while this wave of appreciation for all we have been given is important to savor, it is not quite enough.
Ever economical, God bestows blessings on us with a built-in purpose. Though God delights to grant us joy, the Lord equally desires our engagement in the work of the Kingdom.
This Thanksgiving I will be taking stock of the many things I’m thankful for with an eye to what God intends me to do with them. As Jesus reminded his disciples, “To whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48).
After all, isn’t the next dimension of gratitude the privilege of finding ways to give back to the One who has given us so much?
For updates on my book, or more information about me, continue to check back to this blog! I will also be frequently updating my Facebook Author page, as well my twitter account, @AuthorMcNabb, and my LinkedIn account, Katie McNabb.
6 Responses to Gratitude Squared