Long: In everything give thanks
Turkey, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, pumpkin pie, family and friends. It makes me smile just thinking about Thanksgiving being right around the corner.
In addition to food and family, Thanksgiving, just like the name suggests, is a good opportunity to count our blessings and give thanks.
But let’s face it, nobody’s life is a Hallmark movie. Sometimes it can be hard to see our blessings in the midst of challenges. Counting our blessings and focusing on what we do have rather than what we don’t, helps us to be happier.
A couple of years ago, during the depths of the pandemic, Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, extended a Thanksgiving invitation: “I invite you, just for the next seven days, to turn social media into your own personal gratitude journal. Post every day about what you are grateful for, who you are grateful for, and why you are grateful. At the end of seven days, see if you feel happier and more at peace.”
This invitation is as timely now as it was then. Gratitude is always in style and social media allows us to not only brighten our own days with gratitude, but also to encourage others to see their world through a brighter lens.
As we ponder the things for which we are grateful, let’s first and foremost remember the giver of all good gifts: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Jesus Christ set the example for gratitude. When He fed the 5000 with a few loaves and fishes, He gave thanks for the meager offering. And miraculously, He made it enough to feed the multitude. Perhaps just like the few loaves and fishes, our blessings seem like they aren’t enough. But as we notice our blessings and express our thanks to God for them, He miraculously can turn our meagerness into plenty.
So for the next seven days, let’s take time out from the frenzy of turkey feasts and black Friday sales to notice our blessings. Then let’s turn our favorite social media platforms into our own personal gratitude journals. And invite your friends to join you. We’ll all be happier for it!
Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving and “in everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Karen Henegar Long lives in Evans, Georgia. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She especially enjoys serving with youth.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Long: In everything give thanks
