A Sacrifice of Praise

There is so much that we have to be thankful for and I'm so glad that we were able to go to a worship service tonight to remember to be thankful. The funny thing is, today I was watching the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special with the kids and I was really impressed by the faith of the Puritans and how much adversity they faced before the first Thanksgiving. Joel kept asking me if it was really a true story. I had to keep telling him that it was true, except for the part about Charlie Brown and his friends being there :) Funny the things God uses to remind us to be thankful. Anyway, once again I'm sharing a selection from the Book of Common Prayer (1979, p. 837), because it reminded me of so MANY things to thank God for. Feel free to add your own ideas or expand on a category or borrow a few for your Thanksgiving dinner. I would add thanksgiving for Elena's surgery going well and the health of our children.

Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so
freely bestowed upon us.

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and
sky and sea.
We thank you, Lord.

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women,
revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.

For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and
our friends,
We thank you, Lord.

For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,
We thank you, Lord.

For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
We thank you, Lord.

For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering
and faithful in adversity,
We thank you, Lord.

For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,
We thank you, Lord.

For the communion of saints, in all times and places,
We thank you, Lord.

Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and
promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord;

To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the
Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.