Thanking Is Just One Letter Away from Thinking

This is the title to a sweet short story by Larry Gelbart about a little girl named Melody. She was named Melody because her parents knew that she would be the music of their lives. Melody liked to think and use her imagination (even though she didn't know what imagination was) about what all the things in her world were thinking. Baby birds, trees, seeds and worms - one wondering thought always leads to another wonder. She wanted all things she wondered about to feel as safe as she did. That thought made her feel warm inside, made her feel good and made her feel thankful. She was thankful for herself and for all the things in this world.

Colossians 2:7

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Colossians 3:15

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

November always brings to mind that the holiday season is upon us and we often feel overwhelmed with "thinking" about all we have to do. Perhaps, we should all approach the holiday season as "Melody' (character from the story listed above) and let our thoughts become the melodies that make the season happy. When we take the focus off ourselves (the I in thinking) and change our focus to "thankfulness" for the busyness of the season, we will experience the peace that comes from Christ. Then, perhaps, we can celebrate and be truly Thankful.