The first Thanksgiving that I was away from my family, I felt really sad.

I missed the traditions that I was used to.

I missed the dishes that we always ate.

And I missed the people.

I wasn’t feeling very grateful at all.

As I sat pretty quietly at the dinner table, I tried to have a change of heart.

How could I contribute to the atmosphere even if I didn’t feel very grateful?

What could I do to turn things around?

I realized that I had been thinking a lot about myself.

So instead of feeling self-absorbed and sad, I decided to try and focus on making other people happy.

Gratitude is essential.

But I love it when gratitude leads me to think, “How can I better feed or serve the people around me?”⁣

Peter encouraged us:

“Feed the flock of God which is among you. . . .” (1 Peter 5:2)

Many of us doing that literally today— gathering and feeding loved ones.

What a gift!

But looking at it from a spiritual standpoint is so cool, too!

Gather and nourish the people that you love on a spiritual level.

I don’t think that necessarily means preaching at people.

But sharing love, speaking openly of Jesus, and encouraging.

Focusing outward with gratitude.

I completely transformed how I felt on that Thanksgiving when I started trying to give happiness and joy to other people, even when I didn’t totally feel it myself.

Gratitude can help lead us to nourish others.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

Share:

Facebook
Pinterest
Email
Print

2 Responses

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Privacy Policy

Keep Studying

Related Posts

Do it on your own 

“You are supposed to be able to handle everything in your life on your own, and if you can’t handle it or need help, you

Behind my back

Someone was talking badly about me being my back. I was in high school. And someone told me about what someone else was saying. And

The failed mission 

Parley. Oliver. Peter. Ziba. ⁣ Heading out on the first mission for the tiny church. ⁣ Heading west, with a strong end goal, but not

The lost keys

I couldn’t find my car keys. I searched all the usual suspect places. I asked my kids. I looked in unusual places. And then I

Are you good or bad?

Life is not black and white. ⁣ Growing up, we are taught about the right thing to do and the wrong thing to do. ⁣