Give Thanks and Share Your Blessings

I hear these words at this time of year.
They are almost drowned out by Christmas music and ads instructing me what presents I should purchase.
And there are moments when I find it difficult to feel thankful, when I don’t feel blessed, when I feel burdened, when I feel sad.
How about you?

But as I look about I realize I do have things to be thankful for.
So I start to make a list. As I write I realize much of what I have to be thankful for I often take for granted. The things I have to be thankful for others less fortunate can only dream about.

And I read what God says about being thankful in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18:

¹²…acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you...
¹³Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
¹⁴…warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
¹⁵Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
¹⁶Rejoice always,
¹⁷pray continually,
¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances;