Trying to be Thankful

Sometimes its hard to be thankful.  We get caught up in all of the life stuff happening around us and we just take things for granted.  We don't pay attention to even the smallest thing to be thankful for - that we can take a breath of air and we are alive.  Beyond that there are so many opportunities to give thanks but so often I get caught up in the things going on each day or fear of what might happen that I forget to actually give thanks.

It's almost Thanksgiving and honestly I just can't believe the year is nearly over.  The closer to the end of the year the more I feel a bit overwhelmed with what comes next.  A variety of different things I've read lately have all pointed to the importance of being thankful for everything.  Even the bad or scary things.  To be thankful that my kids have grown up and are about to change directions is hard.  I am thrilled at the young people they are becoming but so fearful of the next steps.  Not so much for them although I do pray they make wise choices and stick as close to God as they can but fearful of how our lives will change.  The differences that will occur and how we stay connected even when we are apart.  It's hard to do and yet so much easier than it used to be. 

Growing up we moved often and friends fell by the way side once you were out of sight and out of mind no matter how hard you tried to write letters or keep in touch.  Life intruded and the relationships kind of just went away.  It's sad really, when I think of all the people I've known and met and how many I couldn't even begin to name today.  I think that is the fear that permeates my ability to be thankful.  I don't want to lose the connections - not just with my kids but others that I consider essential to my life. 

Just as being thankful requires intentionality in my life so do relationships.  In today's culture we have some advantages - social media and telephones that allow us to see who we are talking to.  It is truly a different world and the opportunity to stay connected is easier than when I was growing up but it still requires intentionality. 

I was reading in my Priscilla Shirer Bible Study - Breathe yesterday and she mentioned how to have peace (no fear - calm in the midst of the storm).  We have to use thankful prayer to combat anxiety and fear and just the overwhelming sense of life.  Philippians 4:6-7 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." When we offer thankful prayer to God and acknowledge all that He has done, is doing and will do for us then we can have peace about the tomorrows and be thankful for what we have. 

I have to always remember to stay in the moment not looking too far ahead but looking up to the Father who holds us safely in His hands.  Thankful prayer - always rejoicing and always thanking.