Thankful

There is a new phase making the rounds on Face Book called "The Giving Thanks Challenge."  The basic premise is to give thanks each day during the month of November, and this should be a great idea for everyone to catch.  In stead of finding things to complain about, or to criticize, we should offer thanks to God for all the blessings He has given to us.  In America, we seem to be quicker in offering negativity, than to offer positive feelings that express true blessings.  For instance, in most of America, we have suitable housing, transportation, clean water/air, affordable and plentiful food/clothing, and safety.  Not too many places in the world offer these things to the general public.  Yet we quickly provide complaints when we don't get our way.  In church life it sounds like this: preached too long, preached too short, music too loud, music too soft, didn't like the hymn, didn't like the praise song, the temperature's too cold/hot, someone sat in my favorite pew, no one spoke to me, someone had on too much cologne/perfume, etc.  You get the idea.

What if we turned the negative into a positive?  Focus on the Giver and not the gift.  Here are a few samples:
> Thank you God for giving me sight
> Thank you God for giving me feet to walk
> Thank you God for giving breath to walk far distances
> Thank you God for giving me ears to listen
> Thank you God for giving me clothes
> Thank you God for giving me to air breath
Get the idea?

Way too often we are quick to ignore the blessings, and complain about the lack thereof...very similar to the children of Israel walking through the desert.  Let's change our attitude to reflect the entire compass of God's care for His children.  No matter if there is a lack of material things, there is never a lack of His presence.  We will never be in want of His love.  We will never exhaust His care. 

Are you thankful?  If so, what in particular are you giving thanks?