Happy Thanksgiving

I have been speaking to the kids at church this month about being thankful. I have tried to express to them that we have so many things to be thankful for. So, I thought I would write a quick note to you guys about Thanksgiving.

There are certain things that we have grown accustom to on Thanksgiving.

• 90% of Americans will eat turkey on Thanksgiving. Some will bake their turkey, some will smoke their turkey, and a few will even risk burning down their home in order to deep fry their turkey. However you choose to cook it, most of us will eat turkey today.
• Most of us will visit with family today. Enjoy the time you spend together, because someone may be missing at the table next year.
• Between 2 and 3 million people will gather in New York to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade. Millions more will watch it on T.V.
• The Detroit Lions will lose their football game today. I'm not even sure who the Lions are playing, but it's Thanksgiving so they are going to lose.

While there are certain things that we have grown accustom to doing, I would like to challenge each of you to remember five things this Thanksgiving.

1. Remember those 102 brave souls who left their families, their homes and their comforts and boarded a boat called the Mayflower. They came to a place where they had nothing but hope. Hope for new land, hope for a new world and hope for religious freedom.
2. Remember that the freedom we enjoy today is possible because someone else was willing to give. During the first winter almost half of the first Pilgrims died. Today, while I sit in my recliner, typing on my laptop and waiting for the parade to start, there are brave men and women now are giving up time with their families so that I can have the freedom I enjoy today.
3. Remember that we have a good God who blesses us every day of our life. David said in Psalms 68 that God daily loaded him with benefits. We have so much to thank God for.
4. Remember those who are less fortunate than you. While we gather together with our families and eat more than we can handle, there are others who will go hungry. Whisper a prayer for them. God bless those who donate their time in order to aid those in need.
5. Remember to tell someone "thank you." Surely we would not go through this Thanksgiving day and not tell someone "thank you."

I pray you have a blessed day. A day full of fun, family and fowl.