Our Tree of Thanks

When things in life become expected, giving thanks becomes harder...

It seemed fitting to write about thankfulness, since Thanksgiving is only a few days away. I have been pondering what exactly that means to me. I think generally speaking, the most popular top five things to be thankful for are; family, health, shelter, food, and clothing. For the person who overcame illness or is currently fighting a disease...thankfulness for health. For the homeless man who will spend his Thanksgiving meal at a local shelter...thankfulness for food and shelter. For the solider who just returned from war...thankfulness for family. I've never done without or struggled in those particular areas. Because of that, I find it difficult at times to be truly thankful for those things in my life, as they have become somewhat expected.

I currently have a small bare tree branch, in a vase, sitting on the corner of my piano. We have cleverly named it "Our Thankful Tree". I even pulled out the crafty side in me and cut out various leaf shapes, in fall colors. Each day during this Thanksgiving season, I have my kids write down the things they are most grateful for. Over the course of two weeks, the once bare branch has become a beautiful, colorful tree. Full of life and gratitude. We reflect each day on the words that are written on the leaves. What is most important to my kids? So far, we have; the dog, earth, family, house... I found that doing this project, my children struggled to come up with things as well. Our responses seemed very superficial. They have never went to bed hungry, or slept out in the cold, or didn't have clothes to wear. They found it difficult to be truly grateful for the everyday givens in their life. I wasn't happy with this, so I decided to dig deeper. I began to ask, "What is something you never want to be without, something that will go with you to heaven?" After explaining why Legos can't go to heaven, we started to look at inward thankfulness. I shared with the kids that there was a time where I was not the nice mommy I am today. I briefly explained to them how I made mistakes in my past, that could of ruined me for life. They got a true glimpse of my life, before I handed those things over to God. For me, thankfulness is knowing that when all else fails me, my God still remains. He is the only true constant in my life. When my family passes, my health deteriorates, and my possessions wither away, I still have Him. Thanksgiving to me is more than sitting around the table and eating a meal with family...although very yummy! It is a celebration within my soul, that gives 'Thanks' to God for 'Giving' me a new life through Him.

Each time I pass by the decorated tree branch, I am reminded that those things listed will pass. They can tend to be earthly treasures that consume me. Although thankful that God has blessed us with such things, I strive to redirect my heart to Him. Thanking him for his unfailing love, guidance, and grace. What are you most thankful for in your life today? In what ways will that bring you closer to God?

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalms 100:4 (NIV)