Thankful for America

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving day.  I pray that your family is safe and well.  I’ve been sick and resting a cantankerous foot that doesn’t want to cooperate.  I finally received good news from the doctor and hope to be up and going full blast tomorrow.

Thanksgiving was a beautiful snowy day.  Jamie, my parents, Amie and her family and extended family made it a happy time.  It was still a little sad with Ron and Ken so far away.  I guess I’m like a mother hen.  There’s always a hole in my heart unless everyone is under my roof and counted for.  I was extremely thankful that I had other family members that would share my day.  I had my devotions and prayer time along with a quiet cup of coffee.  Usually I turn to Fox and Friends for a little news.  Watching the parade on Thanksgiving is also a must.  But this year I looked at a black TV screen and thought…..”What am I really thankful for?”

Most of the time the answer to that question is personal.  We think of our loved ones, our health, our possessions or even the places we live.  This Thanksgiving I thought of the pilgrims.  I’m so thankful that those dedicated people risked their lives to settle in America. They braved the voyage, the hardships after landing and the fear of being alone in a new land.  I’m thankful for their Christian heritage and their dedication to make this country a beacon of light shining on a hill.  I’m thankful that our founding fathers had a vision of how humans could be their best and what kind of country and government they would need in order to thrive.

I’m thankful for the moms who taught my ancestors to be honest and hard working.  I’m thankful for the families that understood that “truthful” education is the backbone to freedom.  I’m thankful for all the men and women that gave their lives to make sure this country remained free and safe.  I’m thankful for the politicians – well,  the hard working honest ones anyway.  Politicians who grasp the miracle of our country and actually work to keep it strong rather than try to change it.  Those men and women give me hope.  I’m thankful for all the doctors, engineers, architects, bankers, business owners, authors, educators, artists, ranchers and farmers who invested in this country and made it even stronger.  They made it a beautiful place to live.

But most of all, I’m thankful for the pastors, preachers, evangelists, song writers, sunday school teachers and curriculum writers who taught me how to be a dedicated and strong Christian.  I wouldn’t have had a great life and I wouldn’t be what I am today without those people.  The hundreds maybe even thousands of people who taught my ancestors how to live for God – they changed all of our lives for the better.

We are in full swing for Christmas and I’m more behind than ever – thanks to my bad foot.  Anytime I feel overwhelmed (only every hour or so) I return to The spirit of thanksgiving.  I remember someone special or something they did.  I remember a special moment or time in my life or I think about the people that held firm when this country started.  I daydream about an unknown fictional woman in a distant year like 1680 who cleaned her cabin and cared for two young children.  What did she do for Christmas?  What made her happy?  Did her children make a difference in their world or discover something that we use today?

It doesn’t take me long to be transported to a big smile and a grateful heart for all the advantages I enjoy.  Even the poorest person today is probably better off than most of the pioneers.  I am truly thankful for America and how far we’ve come.  The mistakes we may have made will never outweigh the great strength we created.

We live in a wonderful time.  We have so many advantages and privileges.  I don’t understand people who would rather fuss about America than use that same time to reach out and make America stronger.  I am brokenhearted that so many people would rather fuss and fight than take the time to be thankful for America – the greatest country on earth.

I hope you will join me and be thankful for all the blessings we do have. This Christmas let’s take a little time to be thankful for the Christ child and the way he changed the beginning of this country.