I’m sending this brief blog a day early since I imagine you may be very busy on Thanksgiving Day.

As you think of things for which you are thankful, the usual comes to mind: family, friends, food, your home and church, etc.

A few years ago, I read the book, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voscamp. It was a stirring book. One suggestion she promoted was to keep a booklet in which you could write one thansgiving per day. That seemed like a worthy idea.

So I purchased this little notebook and began my daily (almost every day) project. At the beginning, I wrote “the ability to give thanks.” Then it was things like “morning sunrises” or “an early snow.” Sometimes I wrote the name of a friend or family member. In the midst of writing my books, I gave thanks for “productive research” or “blog subscribers” or “ideas coming to my mind.”

At some point, the thanksgiving thoughts had greater depth. I was thankful for “Reminders to trust You” or” Scriptures that encourage” or “Behind the clouds, the Son is still there.”

To my amazement, at this point I have reached 857 thank you’s to God. My morning routine is to read a page in my devotional book, write a thank you, and pray. I’m thankful for this simple routine. I admit that some days it is just that, a routine, but in a planned routine, we can find moments of profound joy and blessing.

 Before the writer of Hebrews wrote his last chapter— “Concluding Exhortations”, he wrote theses words,

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverance and awe . . . Hebrews 12:28

I leave you with my thanksgiving prayer.

Thank you, Lord, for the happy times, the times of peace and contentment. And thank you, Lord, for the turbulent times, for it is there that we still find you, teaching us new lessons, speeding up our growth, reminding us that even in the midst of turmoil, you are there. Thank you that you walk us through it all, drawing us ever near to you through the blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

Happy Thanksgiving!

~ Joyce ~