We all have the same amount of time. Twenty-four hours in a day, 1,440 minutes and 86,400 seconds. How do you use this time to give thanks for your blessings?
During this Thanksgiving season, we are reminded to stop and reflect on those things for which we’re grateful. Not rattling off someone else’s list, but our own — one that requires deep reflection.
This Thanksgiving, I’m particularly thankful for:
• A loving family and one that enjoys being together.
• Grandchildren and greats who are growing into responsible, compassionate people.
Tomlin
• The love of friends who share their time and homes.
• America and the freedoms we enjoy.
• My shelter dog, Hemingway, and his unconditional love of all people.
• A loving church family who practices what it means to be a Christian.
• A phone call, e-mail or letter that says, “I read your article this week.”
• Those serving in the Armed Forces now, and our veterans, who have kept our nation safe and preserved our freedoms.
• The joy of gardening and planting seeds, cultivating plants and partaking of the harvest.
• The fragrance of the first drops of rain on a hot summer day.
• A good night’s sleep on crisp, fresh linens dried in the sun.
• Memories of good parents that I knew loved me and supported me through their hard work and unselfish devotion to being a wonderful mom and dad.
• Former teachers who encouraged, supported and inspired me to reach higher and to believe in myself.
• Growing up in a rural area and appreciating the value of a country life.
• A father who taught me to think for myself and to do what I think I should do.
• A mother, whose advice was “Be able to take care of yourself!”
• The smell of fresh-turned earth on a warm spring day.
• Christmas decorations from the good earth, including fragrant pine, magnolia and holly.
• A warm house in winter.
• The annual doctor’s visit that ends with “If all my patients were as healthy as you, I’d have to close my practice.”
• The simple things in life, such as a good book, sunshine on a cold day, warm mittens and fur-lined boots.
• Chocolate — milk or dark — any time, any place.
• Afternoon tea in an antique China cup.
• The smell of pot-roast cooking in my mother-in-law’s old iron skillet.
• The speed of the Internet when researching a writing assignment.
• Editors who publish my work.
• A loving and forgiving God as stated in John 3:16, “ … that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (NIV).
As you gather together this Thanksgiving with loved ones, take time to reflect on how God has blessed you.
How are you using those hours, minutes and seconds in your day? B&R — Tomlin resides in Jackson and writes for numerous Christian publications. E-mail: [email protected]