Tomorrow, American’s will celebrate a holiday that is uniquely American, well, almost uniquely American.

Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving, although their holiday is earlier in the year than ours. They celebrate the harvest (which takes place before most American crops) and the Canadian Thanksgiving is not a national holiday.

The country of Liberia celebrates Thanksgiving. This country has many traditions carried home by those freed from slavery in America and returned to the African continent. Instead of a roasted turkey, their meal features a roasted chicken; many go to church, thanking God for His blessings.

And, Norfolk Island (famous for its inhabitants from the H.M.S. Bounty) celebrates a Thanksgiving much like ours. Their tradition, however, started as a way to help American sailors feel at home while visiting the port so far away from North America. Their featured protein is pork – always a great choice.

But, I didn’t harvest crops this year. I am not a freed slave so thankful to be home. And, I am not in a faraway place looking for something to remind me of home.

I am like most Americans with resources greater than most other citizens of the world know. I sleep in a bed with the room warm or cool, depending on my choice. I will eat a hearty meal tomorrow, provided by the generosity of good friends. My health is good. I have work to do, keeping my heart and my mind active and involved. I do not think about most of these things very often. I take so much for granted.

But, on this single day in the year, my nation has set aside time for us to be grateful.

On this Thanksgiving, I will spend time in prayer. I will thank God for what He has done for me. I will praise His name. I will seek His guidance. I will dedicate this holiday season to learning more about what His love means, what His will is. I will say thank you.

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Luke 17:12-19

As Jesus was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him —and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

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Thank you, Lord, for cleansing, for saving, for loving this woman who was once an outcast, carrying sin and burdens that she had put upon herself.

Thank you, Family and Friends, for loving me when I am not very lovable, for listening when my words don’t make any sense, and for being there when I act like I don’t need you.

For all of this, I am eternally thankful.

Jill (Just one of God’s kids)