Post-turkey thoughts

I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.

Psalm 7:17

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Psalm 28:7

I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

Thanksgiving is good for us. No, not the once-a-year feast of gratitude and gravy-laden turkey, but the day to day attitude of thankfulness for the blessings we have been given.

Several studies have shown that being grateful increases our "positive effect" - happiness. It seems also to lead to better lives in general, from better grades to less depression.

The most recent study referenced in the linked article came to the conclusion that gratefulness to God, in particular, is especially powerful. And why not? Rather than self-congratulatory back patting ("I am so thankful my boss recognized my hard work and gave me that promotion"), gratitude to God is looking beyond ourselves, taking ourselves out of the center of our lives ("Thank You, God, for providing me with a job that uses the skills You have given me to bring glory to You.").

Now that the turkey leftovers have been consumed or frozen, the extended family and friends have returned home and the handprint turkeys put in the scrapbook, what is the level of your current day gratitude meter? Has the attitude of thanksgiving been put away with the cornucopia centerpiece? Or can you continue this week being grateful for the riches we enjoy?

Something to think about.