The concept of celebrating Thanksgiving has become much more personal to me since I learned that I probably have ancestors who were on the Mayflower and who signed the Magna Carta. It gives me a deeper appreciation for the extreme sacrifices made by those passengers. Many came to America with the purpose of freely worshiping their Creator. All had a tremendous spirit of adventure and an unparalleled determination. Many didn’t live long enough to know anything about their new world.

Thanksgiving is not something Christians practice once year. Giving thanks to God is a natural extension of a grateful heart. There is always something to be thankful for. All of us have hopes and dreams that never become reality. I realize that I will never build my dream house. My home isn’t even close to what I WANT, but it is stable and solid and meets all my NEEDS. The older I get, the less appeal the things of the world have for me. I learn more and more about what REALLY matters.

I am thankful every day for the life God has blessed me with. I am thankful for the air I breathe and the lungs to breathe it with. I am thankful that I can still put one foot in front of the other. I am so very thankful that God loves me and forgives me. I am thankful for the people He has placed in my life. I am so grateful that God does not change, but that He changes me.

This good day, it is a gift from You.
The world is turning in its place because You made it to.
I lift my voice to sing a song of praise
On this good day.
Fernando Ortega
“This Good Day” from the album Home