A man was complaining because he lived in one room with six other people. A friend said, "get a goat and let the goat live you and come back to see me in one week." After a week the man returned and said, "the goat didn't help matters at all, he stinks and makes a mess, things are worse than ever." The friend said, "get rid of the goat and come back and see me in a week." After a week the man returned and said, "things are great, with just us six and no goat, we have much to be thankful for."

Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful holiday. It is one of the holidays that should make us feel good about our country. A day set aside especially for the purpose of giving thanks to our Creator. This is a wise and beneficial thing to do. There is no reason why the spirit of thanksgiving should not become a regular part of our life. Your life will change as you practice the art of counting your blessings and giving thanks to others and to your God for all that is yours. Paul reminds us that as we make our request to God, to do so with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6).

Thanksgiving demonstrates a humble spirit. When one feels he is self-sufficient and is self-centered, the need to feel thankful or express thanksgiving is removed. James says, "Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up" (James 4:10). When Jesus healed the ten lepers only one returned to give thanks (Luke 17:11-19). This one leper realized that what Jesus did for him, he could not have done himself. He was truly thankful and all pride was removed as he fell at the feet of Jesus and gave thanks.

Thanksgiving takes root in a heart that focuses more on blessings instead of problems. In I Peter 5:7 the scripture instructs us to "cast all our cares upon Him [God] because He cares for us". How much better prayer is than worry. It is often difficult to follow these simple instructions, but the more we apply them the more we find within ourselves the peace of God.

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