Thanksgiving Say, ‘thank you’ (change society with gratitude)

In 1971 a twenty-nine year old Andrae Crouch published a song that has become a Christian standard known by a name other than its actual title. It is known as "To God Be the Glory." Its actual title is, "My Tribute."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iZm9__sJL8&noredirect=1

It starts out, "How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me?"

'Pessimism' seems to me to be actuated by a lack of recognition of positive alternatives. I am always amazed by people who have 'given up' on the country, their situation, their family, their friends, or their own future.

My question to them, if they will allow me the luxury, is -- "Can you find anything good in...?" Fill in the blank, whatever the person or situation.

It seems to me to be a lack of affirmation of assets.

If one is to do the old, "Count Your Blessings, Name Them One by One" then there must be some assets to be found amidst the liabilities of any given situation, person, relationship, or the future.

"How can I say thanks..." is a good place to start in 'parenting.' Teaching thankfulness, or gratitude, isn't done by demanding of the child -- "What do you say??!!!"

The obligatory, "Thaaaaank yooooou" doesn't come from a value that has been built within the child. The spontaneous hug, twinkle in the kid's eyes, the squeal and giggle, the 'oooooooh' or impatience to show someone what they have just been given, is something that comes from a value that has been built within the child.

That value is born of expectation, anticipation, and recognition of the limitation of resource. Parents who think their child wouldn't understand those things are lousy parents.

If those values that go into thankfulness, gratitude, aren't started in their development during the very early times of 'individuation' then it isn't likely to happen at all.

If a child is able to understand the 'value' of discipline or punishment, then the child is able to understand the components that go into the value of thankfulness, appreciation...gratitude.

In the very earliest moments of a child's cognitive and interpersonal awareness those values are best taught by 'modeling.' They learn quickly what makes you happy.

So, what makes you happy now at this point in your life?

Have you bothered to share that with those who are involved?

Have you done an inventory lately of the things in your life that please or displease you? Have you 'sorted' out, counted, your assets in those situations and relationships?

Have you heard that you "can catch more flies with honey...?"

How about starting with God -- "How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me...?" and move on to those closest to us and repeat the same deep gratitude for all the blessings that have come our way through those individuals and situations.

How about living life today with hopeful anticipation of the things that He will continue to do for us.

How about becoming an 'asset' (blessing) counter for our society?

We have so much to be thankful for. Even the things that appear to be great liabilities have potential to become an asset. If you can't see that, then you haven't learned problem-solving.

Count YOUR blessings, not everyone else's sins and problems.

And "be thankful, singing to yourself songs and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."

And "in everything give thanks for this IS the will of God in Christ Jesus."