It’s just a few days past Thanksgiving, and I’m still reflecting on all I have to be thankful for–family, friends, and especially God’s love for me. Sometimes, when things aren’t going as well as I might like, I remind myself to be thankful for all the things God has done for me.

It’s important for every believer to not only feel thankful, but to take the time to tell God how much we appreciate Him and all the blessings He’s bestowed on us, as well as our families. Knowing that God can use all things for His good is more than enough reason for me to give thanks in everything.

I wrote a poem sometime ago entitled, “Thankful Attitude,” and it goes like this: We should be thankful for the abundance that is ours, for the beauty of this world, the sun, moon, and stars. For our family, friends, and God’s everlasting love, we should give thanks to the Father above. We should be thankful for the clothes we wear, and for the opportunities we have to share. For the Son whom God sent because of His love, we should offer our thanks to the Father above.

“Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 136:1.

What are you thankful for today?

As I prepare for Thanksgiving, I usually begin thinking of all the blessings God has given to me, and I’m thankful. However, this year I am not only thanking God for His many blessings, but I’m asking Him to show me how I can bless others.

I know many of my Amish friends who bless others by helping whenever they can. In fact, I’ve seen them drop whatever they are doing to help when a friend or relative has a need. I believe that God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. He desires for us to have a giving, loving heart. We are to imitate Jesus and go about doing good, as mentioned in Acts 10:38.

God’s Word also tells us in Ephesians 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”

What are some ways you have been blessed this week? What are some things you can do to bless others?

As a minister in the Church of the Nazarene, one of the first things my husband has always stressed while counseling couples preparing for marriage is the necessity to communicate with one another. Without communication, how will others know what we want and need? Without communication, how will we know their wants and needs? The important thing about communication is not merely in telling others our wants and needs, however. Communication is a two-way street, where we listen as well as speak.

The other day I was watching a program on TV and was astonished to hear a young woman monopolize all the conversation. The poor man she was talking to could hardly get in a word, and when he did, she kept interrupting him. It made me stop and think about my own communication with others. Do I listen as much as I speak? Do I take an active interest in what others are saying, or is the conversation all about me?

Have you ever noticed how people seem to light up when you ask about them or take an interest in the things they are doing? It’s a joy and a privilege to really listen when others are talking, because we can often learn a lot about that person, which in turn, will draw as closer to one another.

First Timothy 6:18 reminds us that we should be willing to communicate. Is there someone you need to communicate with today?