Thanksgiving

            It's that time of year again and it is that day again for over indulgence in turkey, stuffing, yams, pie, and just about every other food that one can think of, but more importantly it is time to reflect on what it is that we are grateful for, even when it may seem that there is not that much right now to be greatfull for. Maybe today is the one day that for our own sakes to lay down all the bitching and moaning and realize, hey maybe there is much to be grateful for, and in comparison to many others, even others right hear in the good old US of A, how well off we really are.
        I am grateful for my freedom, not that red white and blue freedom but but to be outside of the walls and slavery the red, white, and blue has created inside its own boarders for millions. To lay in a bed that is some what soft, under sheet that no one else uses. A light and fan I can turn on when ever I choose. I have food that I choose, and can eat at my own convenience. A window to open and breath fresh air, or even a door to walk out of if I want to be in the fresh air. Water that is both cold and hot for showers that last as long as I choose. I am grateful for the coffee that I am sipping on at this moment that is not freeze dried instant coffee resembaling something closer to liquid mud or motor oil. Yes I do believe that I am greatful.
       I am grateful for the church that am going to attend in just a couple of hours to give thanks with others to my God for his grace and generosity in our lives that are so bountiful it seems hard sometimes to be grateful for anything at all.
       I am grateful for my health when so many others around me are sick,cancer, depression, aids, any number of illness that have done nothing less to deserve than those who have been stricken. I am over weight and have I high blood pressure, I don't sleep well, but to day is about being grateful and in comparison, yes I should be.
       I am grateful yes I am. We are so spoiled that at times even in great abundance small formalities make it seem that there little if anything to grateful for at all. We need days like today to reflect what am I grateful for? When it my past has my life been much worse? What do I have that my neighbor does not, and in this global world that is becoming ever small it seems easier to forget the neighbor just down the road whose job isn't paying well, his or her hours have been cut short, if employment is available at all. When life has been going decent, we are working harder than ever, but not getting ahead as we would like, we cant afford the car we want, that 60" tv, it is easy to become callous, I'm working my ass off, why can't they, they are just lazy, and we forget that we once needed a helping hand, if we lost employment or our car died and a chain of small event occurred we too could easily be standing with open hands at the mercy of the generosity of others. So let us be grateful what we have and not bitter over what we do not, lets us not forget our neighbor, to offer him or her a helping hand, share what little, or from what abundance we have, for the same God that made him your neighbor,  made you too.
         Blessed are those who show mercy, for they will be treated mercifully Matt. 5:7
         Love thy neighbor as thy self Matt.22:39
         Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Matt. 5:3