Happy Thanksgiving

Today is a day to enjoy the bounty of nature, and to give thanks for that bounty. It is a day to enjoy family and friends, to make bonds, to reaffirm the bonds of family and friendship, and to give thanks for them. It is a day to reflect that together we can face hardship and more, and come out better than before if we stand and work together.

Take this day and do just that. Give thanks to God for all in our lives, not just the good; but, also that which is not but will in the end strengthen our Faith and our faith and solidarity with one another. If it means violating a mandate, well, too bad as the reasons of this day are far more important . Do not let tyrants petty or large dictate this day. Ignore them, and do take the time to count your blessings large and small, and to reach out to those family and friends and encourage them to do the same.

For me, I truly do give thanks this day. I still have a job, and while far from ideal it is work that is allowing me to get back on my feet in more ways than one. I give thanks that I have the opportunity now to seek new employment and to better myself on several levels in the process. I still have at least a few readers, and the opportunity to grow back to where things once stood, and hopefully do some good for others in the process. I give thanks that I have made mistakes, for I have learned from them and grown in positive ways in the process. I have food for my table, some food tucked away, and plan to enjoy it in the days and weeks ahead. I give thanks for the nightmare of the last six or so years in regards my health, for the worst never happened and while I have some issues and challenges to face with the arthritis and other related things, I also have the chance to fight it and get back to the life I want in physical terms. In fact, I give thanks that my last doctor visit showed that I am otherwise in good shape and we have plans to make that even better.

I even give thanks for what is happening politically. I hate some of what I fear is to come; but, this time has seen masks removed so that I can see who and what people really are and make better judgements and decisions in all of life. I give thanks that there are those who despite cancel culture, are willing to stand up for what they believe, and to fight regardless of affiliation for free and fair elections that are crucial to our Republic. I am thankful that yet others have made their intentions and desires clear, as again it allows us to make decisions based on facts and reality, not emotions. Most of all I give thanks for there is still time to deal with the issues if we keep the bonds of family and friendship and stand together. And, I give thanks for all those who stand for individual liberty and freedom.

I am glad for the friends in my life, for the acquaintances, and the chance to make new friends. I am glad for the chance to mingle and enjoy the company of others, and to have the chance to do more of that. I am glad and thankful for the many opportunities in my life, and that I have the chance to work harder at seizing more of them large and small.

Though it is hard, I give thanks for some horrible things in my past. I give thanks that in them I can see where Grace has saved me from worse paths and worse outcomes. I need look no further to see where that hand has guided me and kept me from far worse harm. Doing so reminds me to have Faith, and to trust that guidance and protection. While I have no faith in the institutions of Man, I give thanks that this year has helped me grow stronger in my Faith, for it remains.

I give thanks that I have a place to hang my hats, even though it not be my own. I give thanks for those in my life, and if I particularly give thanks for those that are a positive influence in my life, I trust that God will understand. I even give thanks for my stalker cat, for he reminds me that all deserve love and kindness (even if I occasionally wish for a restraining order on him). I give thanks for the chance to learn and grow, for we all too often choose not to do either. I give thanks for the lessons of life, for while they are often hard and unpleasant, they can not only help us learn and grow, they often require us to do so no matter what we may want.

I give thanks that God has not given me all I’ve wanted, as what has been given has been so much better. It is a reminder not to ask God for something in particular, but to put what is needed in my life in God’s hands.

I give thanks for knowing that I am not alone, and that individuals can still make a huge difference for the good in life.

So today, give true Thanks. Count the blessings large and small. Set aside fear, anger, uncertainty, and all the negatives in life and concentrate on the good. Concentrate of the love and fellowship with have with family, friends, and others we may not even yet know.

Eat, drink, and enjoy the bounty of food and fellowship that we have. Don’t let anyone or anything keep you from supping that greater meal this day.