Giving Thanks
Monday Ministerial Musings
By Rev. Mark William Ennis
2024 Blog #48
November 25, 2024
Giving Thanks
At the hospice where I am a per-diem chaplain, we have a “gratitude tree.” It is a small evergreen tree that sits on the table in our staff room. Employees are encouraged to take a paper star ornament, write on it what they are grateful for, and hang it on the tree. Maybe half of our team has placed stars on the tree. The other half, for whatever reason, has not. I felt good when I placed my star on the tree. I know how much I have to be grateful for.
Years ago, a minister friend of mine, encouraged congregation members to wake up every day, write something on a piece of paper, and place it in a “gratitude jar.” By waking up with a feeling of gratitude, one approaches the whole day with a good attitude, and that helps us accomplish great things. Attitude can guide our actions, for better or worse.
At school, my grandsons have been making lists of things that they are thankful for this Thanksgiving. After reading their lists, I decided it would be a great exercise for me as well. Although to list everything that I am truly thankful for would take more hours than I have, I have attempted to assemble a list of things that I am most grateful for. Now, on this Thanksgiving week, I invite you to participate in this spiritual exercise also.
Gratitude List
1. I live in safety. The town where I live has little crime. Much of the world lives in fear of crime and in many places, people are under military attack and military rule. I am grateful for the safety that I have.
2. I live in prosperity but a mere ten miles away, many homeless people sleep on the streets, their prosperity hampered by various circumstances. I am grateful for all that I have.
3. I minister in a place where I am surrounded by wonderful, Christian people. Many people go to work with rascals and their workdays leave them feeling miserable. For them, work is a burden. I am grateful that my work is a joy.
4. I will be celebrating Thanksgiving with family, enjoying abundance and good family relationships. I will enjoy playing with my three grandsons. Some folks have no family or are estranged from family. I am very grateful for my wonderful family.
I will be celebrating Thanksgiving this year and celebrating well. Yet, my celebration will not be as joy-filled as it could be, while I know that so many others have less to be grateful for. During this upcoming year, I will work to bless others to ensure that next year, others will have more to be thankful for. That, I believe, is the best way to show gratitude for all the blessings that, I have. Please join me in this quest to be a blessing to others.
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