Summer has come and gone as well as most of fall.  We might just as well say that winter is here even though it is officially three weeks away.  Turkey day is almost upon us.

If you are like me then the holidays can be challenging.  Doesn’t it always seem that the things we have we are not as thankful for as we should be while at the same time the very thing we want that would makes us the most thankful eludes us.

It is all a bit of a sad commentary that we all suffer from.  We want what we do not have.  If we do by chance acquire or achieve that thing we want the most we often do not appreciate it.  The sure way to lose something is not to value it.  Then when we lose it we wish we had it back.

To be happy and content with what we have is great gain. (1 Tim 6:6)  It has been a long road for me to learn to be happy with what I have versus being unhappy and always wanting more.

It started with my car.   With one notable exception (a black Ford Ranger 4×4 from my late 20’s) I was always looking forward to my next vehicle.  It happened about ten years ago.  The concept of being happy with I had was presented to me.  I was driving a Mazda CX-7.  Nothing really wrong with it but I wanted something new or newer.   I decided I was content with what I had and I have been driving it ever since.  That car’s tenth anniversary is soon approaching as is 240,000 miles. 

It was a start.  To become content with just one thing led to many things.  Ten years later I can honestly I am content with most things now.  And on top of contentment has been added appreciation and thankfulness.

So this Thanksgiving do as I have learned to do.  Be content with what you have.  Appreciate things to make sure you do not lose them. 

There are many people in this world that do not have a home, a place to sleep or food to eat.  Many are cold and have no clothes.  Many do not have clean water to drink or health care of any kind.

We are all so fortunate in so many ways.  Would you join me this Thanksgiving to be content, appreciative and thankful?  Maybe for just one day we can all come together and celebrate our differences.   Let us all try to love one another for just one day.

I am thankful to live in a place where we have the freedom to disagree. What are you thankful for?

Photos from a recent trip to the mountains: something I am thankful for.