Guest blog by Mary Anne Casadei, 2019-2020 American Legion Auxiliary national chaplain      

In Thanksgiving to our friends and to Almighty God for His many blessings…

“We give thanks to you, O God. We call upon your name and declare your wonderful works.”

Psalms 75:1

We have much to be thankful for. No matter how bad our situation is, we only have to look around us to see that there are others far worse off.

The other day, my husband, Ron, and I were out to lunch. A man that he worked with was in the restaurant with his wife. We spoke a few minutes and then sat down.

Ron suffers from Agent Orange. He has some pretty rough days. That day was not a particularly good day. He pushed himself to do just the ordinary daily things one needs to do. He was feeling a little sorry for himself. I tell you this because he learned a very important lesson that day.

When the man got up, well after his wife helped him up, she zipped his coat, put his hat on his head, and led him out of the restaurant.

After a few moments of silence, we both looked at each other and he said to me, “There for the Grace of God go I.”

No matter how bad we have it, there is always someone worse off than us.

You only need to look around you to see your life as an undeserved gift. Often, we overlook the gifts God has given us, all the things we take for granted. We grumble and wish our life was different. All of life is an underserved gift from God. We may have hardships to overcome, more trials than victories, but remember, there is a gift in every day. There are blessings in every day.

In this time of Thanksgiving, look around, notice all that you have to be thankful for. God’s gifts are abundant. You only have to look around and open your hearts and minds.

“As we bow our heads in reverence, dear God, thank you for all that I have. Thank you for my family, my friends, and all the little gifts you have given to me. Help me be more aware of all that I have to be thankful for. When I am sad, give me laughter, when I am lonely, let me turn to you. You are my hope, you are my strength; you are my truth. Thank you for never leaving me. Amen.”