5 kernels of corn and being thankful

Psalm 92:1 (ESV)

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

    to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

As Psalm 92 tells us, "It is good to give thanks to the LORD . . . to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night." With a little effort, you can make Thanksgiving a cherished family time devoted to thanking God for what He has done in your lives.

One tradition we did for years is to have five kernels of corn on each of our plates —a reminder of the Pilgrims' daily ration during one of their first difficult winters. Before we ate, we passed a basket around the table, and each person places one kernel of corn at a time into the basket and tells one thing he or she is thankful for.

Here are some of the things each of us can be thankful for:

•"I'm thankful for being able to have a family."

•"I'm thankful my brother/sister, son or daughter got to come home from college for Thanksgiving."

•"I'm thankful for God in my life."

•"I'm thankful for my ministry at my high school."

•"I'm thankful for my sister/brother teaching me about relationships."

•"I'm thankful for our food!"

•"I'm thankful for a great brother/sister."

Thanking God is a big step of our faith. It provides the true spirit of Thanksgiving—a heart of gratitude that gives thanks in all things.

Dear Lord, help each of us have thankful hearts. Help us not forget to say thank you to You each day for the things that You have done for each of us. In the Name  of Jesus, Amen.