10 Things to Be Grateful for This Thanksgiving

It’s just one week away. I’m so looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday when the four of us will be gathered around our dining room table for the first time in three months. There will be plenty of food on that table, but the best part of the day will be the people around it.

I’m sure we can all find plenty to be thankful for, not just during this Thanksgiving season, but all year round. Our life circumstances may look quite different from one another, but certainly, we are all blessed in many ways.

I decided to list out some of the things I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving. These are likely on your list as well! Just for fun, they all start with the letter P.

1. People.

There’s the obvious, our family and close friends. But go beyond that. Remember that teacher who impacted you as a child, the high school coach who poured into you, the friend now moved away who helped you through the first days of new motherhood.

So many people touch our lives over the years. Be grateful for them. And maybe find a way to let them know about it.

2. Providence.

Thank God for His hand in your life. We’d likely be amazed if we knew how many circumstances He arranges, the people He puts into our lives for a specific purpose, and how He uses events to prepare us for bigger things in the future.

3. Promises.

How wonderful and reassuring are the promises of God! The one who never changes says He will never leave nor forsake us. He will meet our needs, give us wisdom, and is even now preparing a place for us in Heaven.

4. Purpose.

We all have a purpose. Maybe, like me at times, you lose sight of that. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.“

Let’s be thankful that God has a work laid out for each of us to do. May we find and do His calling.

5. Peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us that when we bring our concerns to God in prayer, He will give us peace. Recently I prayed several times for peace about a specific situation, and after a few days, I realized that I have it! Not much has changed, but I’m no longer worried about it.

That was a great reminder to me that peace is an immeasurable gift. We can’t earn or buy it, but as children of God, He gives it freely.

6. Pardon.

If we’ve accepted Jesus as our Savior, our sins have been pardoned, forgiven. Salvation through Jesus Christ provides us a home in heaven, a place where we will live with God for all eternity. This is the greatest gift for which we can give thanks.

7. Prayer.

It’s how we talk to God. I’m sure I underutilize this honor we have to approach God and communicate with Him. Let’s be thankful that we don’t have a God who is far off. Rather, we can approach Him with our fears, worries, and needs at any time, and He will hear us.

8. Provision.

God provides for each one of us. Likely none of our lives look exactly the same, but He meets our needs. Matthew 6:31-32 says, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.“

9. Present.

Nope, not as in a gift – Christmas is still a month away! Present as in today, right now, this very minute.

Be thankful for where you are, not just thankful for what happened in the past or looking toward when you can be thankful in the future. Give thanks for where you are right now. And be present in the present, with the people around you today.

10. Pumpkin pie.

Or pecan or sweet potato or apple! It does start with a p, so I couldn’t resist! But seriously, most of us in America will be surrounded with a bounty of food on Thanksgiving Day. Between the turkey, dressing, and mashed potatoes, let’s be thankful for food that not only sustains us, but that we enjoy eating.

Please let me know something you’re thankful for this Thanksgiving. (And bonus points if it starts with a P – ha!)

Related posts:

• 10 Simple Ways to Show Thanks
• There’s No Time Like the Present to Be Thankful
• Living Grateful: Making a Daily Choice to Give Thanks