Thankfulness

With Thanksgiving just a couple days away, I thought I’d have Award-Winning author Gail Pallotta stop by and share her wonderful blog on Thankfulness. And if you need a break from the holidays, check out her book Hair Calamities and Hot Cash below. Nothing like laughter to give you a break from stress. I pray for you all a wonderful Holiday. Please stay safe.

Thankfulness

The word thankful was originally thankful in Old English and meant grateful or obliged.

Most people treasure family, friends, good health, economic security and fun times. When we enjoy these things, we often take them for granted as though they’re a part of life. Also, nowadays we hear a lot about entitlement as though we have a right to happiness, and our purpose is to take hold of it.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, “What is the chief end of man.” The answer is “A man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”

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The grateful heart is a happy heart. – Dr. George Simon

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Also, as Christians, we read about people in the Bible who were believers, but many of them had trials, afflictions, and heartache, so we see our belief doesn’t guarantee a trouble-free life in this fallen world. When we’re in the midst of hard times, ill health or sorrow, it’s extremely difficult to think of much else, let alone be thankful. That’s when we need to look for our blessings. They are there. For one the blessing may include a caring family; for another, a loving spouse or a faithful friend. Most of us have food on our tables, homes with heat and shelter from rain and snow. Clothes, churches for worship, gyms for exercise, and I could go on. These aren’t just a part of life. They’re gifts. And, there’s more. We’re even told in Matthew to ask and “it will be given to you…”

When most of us receive an unexpected present, it lifts our spirits and makes us glad. Perhaps, we got something we’ve wanted for a long time, or maybe we’re touched because someone cared about us. Whatever the reason, it was something we didn’t think we were due, and we were thankful for it.

This Thanksgiving think of “Count Your Blessings” by Johnson Oatman, Jr.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

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   Book Blurb

“A comedic romp from small town to big city in search of missing money, hair catastrophes, and love. A truly fun read”—Cynthia Hickey, author of the Shady Acres Mystery series.

What happens when a New York stockbroker crashes his car into Eve Castleberry’s North Carolina beauty shop…on the same day the young widow’s defective hair products are causing wild hairdos? Soon Eve finds herself helping the handsome stranger hunt the thieves who stole his client’s cash…and hot on the trail of two of the F.B.I.’s most-wanted criminals! Romance blossoms amid danger, suspense and Eve’s hair-brained plan to get back the money.

Buy links

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J63WXR6

Paperback available at Barnes and Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hair-calamities-and-hot-cash-gail-pallotta/1129740945?ean=9781522397915