It’s November. Air is getting cooler, leaves turning to the brilliance of autumn colors, and our thoughts shift to the fast approaching holiday — Thanksgiving, a time to give thanks to God. When you maintain an attitude of thanksgiving, you will experience the great blessings it brings.

The first Thanksgiving was observed Dec. 4, 1619, when 39 English settlers gathered to give thanks to God for their safe arrival in a new land that would later become the United States of America.

Centuries later in 1941, the Congress of the United States designated Thanksgiving Day as a legal federal holiday to be observed on the fourth Thursday of November. America continues to celebrate the holiday on that day set aside for feasting with families and giving thanks to God.

However, thanksgiving should be a daily event giving thanks 365 days a year. Realize that no matter where you are now, what your position, you do have something for which to be grateful.

On Thanksgiving Day, hundreds of people offer thanks to God. Giving thanks is more than just saying you are grateful. It is an attitude of the heart. When you maintain an attitude of thanksgiving, you will experience abundant blessings.

Make thanksgiving an important function of your life, and you will discover your viewpoint toward life will change to becoming a more positive, loving and humble person.

Jesus refers to Psalm 100:4 — “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise, be thoughtful unto Him and bless His name.” How often do we enter into God’s presence with thanksgiving and praise? Many times we ask for our needs, for His favors and blessings when we need to enter into God’s presence to worship and thank Him for all He has done for us.

Thanksgiving is for “all creatures, great and small.” At this time, we are thankful to God for the creation of all the non-human creatures that enhance our lives. Offer recognition for these creatures that have so much wisdom and love to give us.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, one important way to show a grateful attitude toward others is to say “I love you” to the special people in your life. Each person needs to be loved and share love. The need for love has been built into us by God — His word teaches how to give and receive love.

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5-18. The Lord will supply whatever we need, whenever we need it, wherever we need it. Giving thanks is a daily privilege. We all have something for which to be thankful.

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Margaret Brackett

Contributing Columnist

Margaret Brackett is from Newberry. Her columns appear weekly in The Newberry Observer.