Dear brothers and sisters,
    
     It's almost Thanksgiving.  So are you thankful?
     We can easily appreciate close friends, good health, and comfortable homes.  And we can easily offer thanks for these blessings.  But can we be thankful even for the little things in life?
     There's no difficulty in offering thanks for life and salvation and freedom and all the other high and lofty blessings God has granted us.  But sometimes we focus too much on the broader picture and we miss the "little things" of life.
     Beeing able to ... see colors, hear music, feel the warmth of an embrace or a handshake, a taste of chocolate, walk around, read the mail, pull on warm socks, see a child smile, drive a car, pet a cat, throw a ball, relax with a movie, take out the trash, shovel snow, whistle a tune, plant a flower, collect the new state quarters, use the telephone, take a nap, write a letter.  And the list goes on.  Are we thankful that we can do some of these, and many others?
     Knowing that...angels of heaven are singing along when we whistle, a tune of praise; ...every single plant and tree and animal were created for us to enjoy and care for; ...every handshake and hug we offer brings us a tiny bit closer to the love of heaven; ...if God created me in His image, then maybe He's losing His hair, too; ...the love we offer and receive today is only practice for what we'll receive - and need to give - tomorrow...
     You see, God has given us the ability to do great and wonderful things.  And He has also given us the ability to do small, seemingly insignificant things.  But being able to do those small things is a blessing - a blessing for which we rarely offer thanks.
     I'm reminded of a prayer that was found on a church wall in Mexico:  (translated from Spanish) 
     Give us, Senor, a little sun, a little happiness, and some work.  Give us a heart to comfort those in pain.  Give us the ability to be good, strong, wise and free, so that we may be as generous with others as we are with ourselves.  Finally, Senor, let us all live as your own one family.  Amen.
     The little things - sun, a little happiness, work.  These, too, are gifts from God.  Do we take them for granted?  Do we appreciate the little things in life?  Are we truly thankful for everything? 
     Won't you take a moment right now and pray, offering heart felt thanks for all the good things in your life.  Life may not be perfect, but we have the opportunity to be thankful for what we have - both great and small.

Wishing you a season of thankfulness,

Pastor Jon West