Give Thanks

At what point do we start to feel thankful? Is it only upon seeing how bad it could be?  Is it not enough to be blessed with good health??  Is it not enough to be loved, and to have the privilege of loving in return?  Is it not enough to have a job, a job, any job, which affords us the electricity and internet we are using at this very moment? Or to be provided for by someone?  Is it not enough to have the sense of smell, to be able to "stop and smell the roses" at any given moment?

What does it take to make us thankful?  Are we waiting for God to remove something, so that we realize - in its absence - how very great it was?

What does it cost us to feel thankful?  A sacrifice of praise first thing in the morning?  A verbal acknowledgement here and there throughout the day?  Hands lifted in the air?  To each his own.  But we better get it straight.  None of this is owed to us; none of it is secure.

My cousin Crystal gave me my most treasured wedding gift. At first, I thought it was a recipe box, but then it was explained to me by my aunt: "Crystal had a great idea - to use this box to record our thankfulness. So we all got one. She wanted you to start a family tradition, too. We have put in the first couple of sheets."

1. "We are thankful for you and the happiness you have found with each other."
2. "We are thankful for family and friends to share wonderful moments with."

I started to read the other papers, and she stopped me, explaining - "those are blank, for you and Tim to write on."

Coooooooool. :)