The Power of Thanksgiving

Its November, and naturally my thoughts rest on the holiday of Thanksgiving that takes place this month.  I have noticed that the holiday of Thanksgiving does not get much attention.  Where I live, retailers start putting out the Christmas gear just before Halloween arrives.  Sort makes me wonder about Christmas.  With this in mind, spiritually speaking, there must be something really powerful about Thanksgiving.

This morning I went to my PT appointment.  My PT was running late so I got to sit in the waiting room a half hour before being called back.  I did not mind because I felt hugely stressed and I needed time to unwind a bit.  I picked up a magazine and began to comb through the pages. I landed on a great article which I felt was just for me.  The article talked about many of things that I am dealing with in my life right now.  It was encouraging me to let go and not worry.  They also talked about a study that was done with people that were depressed.  The patients had to log into a website and list 3 things that they were thankful for each day.  They said after weeks of doing this many of the patients were no longer depressed. 

In Psalm 92:1-2, it says "IT IS GOOD to say, "Thank you" to the Lord, to sing praises to the God who is above all gods.  Every morning tell him "Thank you for your kindness," and every evening rejoice in all his faithfulness."

Today at my PT appointment part of my job was to lie down and relax as some soothing music played. All the sudden I found tears streaming down my face.  Bottled up emotions rose to the surface and were released.  Afterward, I was given a prescription, not of drugs, but of how to spend my time.  I need to spend 20 minutes everyday, completely relaxing.  To me this means I need to spend 20 minutes of each day with the Lord, just sitting at His feet.  I need to think on His blessings and rejoice in His faithfulness.  What a perfect month to begin my voyage into the power of thanksgiving.

Two of my blogger friends have spoken about being thankful on their sites.  Check out Rachel who is going to try and write one thing she is thankful for everyday.  And my friend Outdoor Mom  who talks about the power and importance of having an attitude of thanksgiving.

Oh, by the way, its official, the Little Blue Cottage is up for sale.  The boys and I came home after picking them up from school to see this...