Thanksgiving is coming; Thanksgiving (for me) marks the beginning of the end of the year and the beginning of the holiday season. And it is a time to remember the previous year with thanks.
“Thanks” I have always thought was a word that you say to make people feel good, you know, like the waitress at the restaurant, thanks is kind of a catch-all word that can fix your thoughtless words or actions. As I have had kids I have realised the truth in the saying that, “a thankful heart is a merry heart.” Kids sometimes snatch, grab and fight for the gift that you bring them. Rather than a word of thanks they use a word like ”MINE”. Other times they show real thankfulness, especially after they have learned to go without for awhile.

A person who is always thankful is refreshing to himself and everyone around him, like cool water on a hot day. Now I can see that giving thanks to someone for their service or gift of hospitality
is about my heart and theirs. True thankfulness can link people together in a brotherly way. When I realise the effect of thankfulness, first on myself (the receiver) and then on giver, I see that approaching God with thankfulness is always fitting. Thankfulness to God links our heart to God’s and we can learn and experience giving thanks in all circumstances.
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18