Every morning when I wake up, I begin the day by saying a simple “thank you” to God. I thank God for my family and friends, for my health and home, for the food on our table and the work that fills my days. It’s easy to be grateful for the big things — the blessings that are so clear and obvious that they almost announce themselves. But lately, I’ve been reminded that true gratitude often shows up in the smallest, simplest corners of our lives.
When I was growing up, my mother had a sign hanging in the kitchen that read, “There is always, always, always something to be grateful for.” It’s one of those sayings that settles quietly in your memory, waiting for the right time to resurface. I find myself coming back to those words more often these days. There really is always something — sometimes something as small as a warm cup of coffee, a good laugh with a friend or a kind word from a stranger. Other times, what moves us to gratitude is something life-changing.
I remember a dear friend, who once shared with me her book of gratitude. It was a simple notebook filled with a running list of blessings, both great and small. She gave thanks for family and friends, for good days and difficult lessons, and once even for a pencil. That book taught me something profound: gratitude isn’t about waiting for something spectacular to happen, it’s about noticing the good that is already there.
Every November since then, I have tried to make my own list of blessings. This year, my list so far includes a vegetable peeler, Laffy Taffy and my children’s teachers. Each one, in its own way, reminds me of how much I have been given.
When my youngest son, Patrick, started kindergarten, his teacher encouraged good behavior with a “Student of the Week” award. This was an honor Patrick considered the ultimate achievement. He worked hard, but so for the first three months of school, his name wasn’t called. Watching him wait patiently, hoping to be noticed, made me think about how often we overlook the things — and the people — we expect to be “just fine.” The ones who always show up, who quietly do what’s right, who never make a fuss. How often we take them for granted!
This month, as Thanksgiving approaches, I’m challenging myself and you to be more watchful and thankful. I’m challenging everyone to seek not just the surprising blessings but for those that you’ve grown used to — the dependable, everyday graces that make life what it is. I offer another challenge as well. Be aware and grateful for those small blessings, but when those things we are thankful for are threatened — or when we see them being threatened for others do something! Our gratitude must move us to action, because gratitude and compassion belong together. If we truly give thanks for clean water, safe homes, good schools, food to eat or peaceful communities, then we must also be willing to stand up and work to ensure that others have them as well.
The Apostle Paul put it best when he wrote to the Colossians, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” So, this season, I invite you to join me: let’s open our eyes, slow our pace, and remember that there is always, always, always something to be grateful for — and always something worth protecting.
The Central Congregational Church of Orange, United Church of Christ (UCC), is located at 93 South Main Street. We currently offer three opportunities for worship. The first is a video worship service posted on YouTube, our church website CentralChurchOrange.com or on our church Facebook page. We offer a drive-in style worship at 9:15 a.m. in the church parking lot and a 10:15 a.m. service in our Sanctuary. Our Cellar Closet Thrift Shop is open Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon, and has a small food pantry and pet food pantry in addition to gently used men’s women’s and children’s clothing and accessories. For more information, please call 978-544-6895, email Revmegan@aol.com and be sure to like us on Facebook!