November is a month of mixed emotions for me. Some of the people that I love the most have died in November including my Mom, my Gram, my Mother-in-Law and one of my first mentors. November also has it shares of joys with Nathaniel’s birthday and my niece’s birthday. Even though it took a while to get past a large black cloud of grief that I had inside myself, I have been able to come out on the other side of that with the ability to be thankful for the blessings I have received. I can pause and appreciate the beauty in the changing colors of the leaves. I really appreciate the cooler temperatures and the fun fall traditions like picking pumpkins and making homemade applesauce.
In my sermon on October 19th, I focused on the idea of remembering to say the simplest prayer that we can and that is “Thank You God.” I had the members of the congregation each write down something that they were thankful for and I shared them with the rest of the congregation. I decided that continuing to encourage all of us to have an attitude of gratitude would be a great theme for my November article. Last month I shared a list of 31 things that we can pray for and I planned to continue that for November with a slight twist. Below is a list of 30 things to be thankful for. Okay, it’s a list of 29 things because I decided to leave Thanksgiving Day open for you to choose what you are most thankful for that day.
Let us all take time each day to say a simple prayer – Thank you God for…
1 – the love of family
2 – the presence of the Holy Spirit
3 – the changing of the season
4 – the right to vote
5 – the love of friends
6 – the Board of Elders
7 – Medical Professionals
8 – food that nourishes our bodies
9 – our homes that keep us safe
10 – our CEC, teachers and leaders
11 – scripture and the guidance it offers
12 – the laughter of children
13 – books
14 – Teachers and Principals
15 – clean water
16 – kittens, puppies and all our pets
17 – sunlight and for clouds
18 – Gayle and the Choir
19 – science and technology
20 – the Board of Trustees
21 – times of sleep and rest
22 – the Sacristans
23 – forgiveness – given and received
24 – our five senses, even as they decline
25 – vacations and time away
26 – music and how it touches our souls
27 –
28 – airplanes, cars and boats
29 – Carole B and the office helpers
30 – the Season of Advent
As we approach the month of November, let us be thankful for the joys that we have received, the struggles we have survived and the constant presence and indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Pastor Jodie