Core Scripture: Is it possible to pick a single one this week?  On Thanksgiving?  How about I try something new … YOU get to pick!  Scroll the link here and let me know which one you chose:

https://www.openbible.info/topics/praise_and_worship

Message: I must admit that it was hard.  Working that first week at Amazon was a learning experience.  I messed up a ton.  I asked countless questions, failed over and over again, but persevered through.  Each day I took home something new.

When you are alone in the warehouse on your assigned aisle, you have plenty of time to think.  I thought a lot that week.  Glancing at my watch, I would see the time and say, “Darn, it would be a heck of a lot easier to be sleeping right now.”  The work was physically exhausting, and I was losing sleep, but I forged on.  I persevered.

When you teach for 22 years and shift to a job like this, it is quite a culture shock.  I longed to see the students I taught for a month and a half.  Words cannot express how much I missed them.  And it killed me to know I was never even able to say goodbye.  No explanation to them.  Nothing. 

My heart still yearns to reconnect with them.  Sadly, that is not possible.  More than a few scripture have helped me through my new life.  Here are my favorites below, followed by my interpretations of them. 

• “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8) I have a choice where my mind goes.  If I let it slide into anger and frustration, nothing good comes of that.  If I think about the blessings, I am grateful.
• “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14) What is done is done.  I cannot change the past, and I must forge on into the future.  I cannot wait to see what God has planned for me in 2025!
• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) I have NO clue what God is doing, but I am learning to trust Him all over again.  He has a purpose behind every move He makes, and I am putting blind faith in his guidance.

As I embrace my new life, there are plenty of things to be grateful for working at Amazon.  I get to meet new friends.  I get to be done by noon.  My weekends began on Wednesday, giving me three days off to recover.  For three straight weeks in December, I will be putting in 60 hours a week with only one day off, but guess what?  That includes overtime pay and plenty of opportunities to make history. 

Jeff Bezos is Amazon’s founder, and he has a wonderful quote to live by: “Work hard, have fun, make history.”  I have been working my butt off.  I have actually found a way to have fun at Amazon through making new friends.  We make history every stinking day.  Just think about the joy we are bringing to thousands around the world.

Case in point … Maybe a package I sort and deliver to the drivers contains something valuable.  Possibly something sentimental.  Like a picture of someone’s deceased grandfather complimented with a set of his old pipes.  I have my grandpa’s old pipes.  He passed away in 2003, and the smell to this very day still gives me comfort and reminds me of the precious times I had with him. 

Love you, Papaw.

It is time to make your own history today.  God gives you 24 hours in each day.  That amounts to 1440 minutes.  What will you do with that time?  Who will you give thanks to?  I plan on texting some close friends and family specific messages of why I am grateful for them.  I want to love on them!  And I encourage you to do the same.

Like my friend Slim Tim!  I haven’t seen him in weeks, but the last time I saw him he was baptized.  I messaged him this morning and encouraged him.  It felt awesome!  And he got back to me within ten minutes.  Just to get his day started off that way, to put him in the right mindset, it meant the world to me! 

Be thankful today.  For the autumn leaves.  For family.  For mashed potatoes, turkey, and pumpkin pie.  For football, afternoon naps, and good books.  For the things we take for granted like shelter.  Provision.  A hot shower.  A bed to sleep on.  For safe travels, time with friends, and most importantly, time with the Lord.

Can we park there?  I am beyond thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He rescued me when I needed Him most.  When I thought all was lost.  I am SO not a perfect person, yet He gives me His grace.  For free.  I yearn to spend time with Him, and when the Lord woke me at 3:30 am this morning, I popped out of bed to get my day started.

What about you?  What will YOU do with the time God blesses you with today?  What do you have to be thankful for?  Who deserves praise in your life?  There are so many things to be grateful for.  All you have to do is find them.    

Challenge: What are you thankful for?  I don’t get many replies on my blog, but I encourage you all to tell me one thing, just ONE THING you are grateful for!  I mean, this is Thanksgiving, come on!  Get in the spirit, people! 

Bible study: Read Luke 17:11-19.  Journal or discuss the following questions.

• What does it mean to have leprosy?  How would it change your life if you had it?
• How were lepers treated during Jesus’ time?
• If a leper were healed, how would that feel?
• Would you have thanked Jesus for healing you?
• What person needs to hear a thank you from you today?

Prayer points: Lift up the following areas to the Lord …

• Praise God for the little things in life.
• Pray you can shove aside the lies from the enemy and believe the truth!
• Pray that your mindset can embrace the good God has blessed you with.

Song application: Here is my Thanksgiving playlist!  Pick your favorite songs below and listen to them.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDHCzm0mhuk
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGTZq3uCPm0
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Y91axwxfI
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOgAmQvOUM0
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqAjWUAlJ-0
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2oxGYpuLkw
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyJF_MYCewo
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hefLdjeclSs
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZjWYgq9QfM
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bOgOBFy9sE
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL_TI4V6QHc

Just for fun: This Adam Sandler song is a classic!  Takes me back to my high school days.  Enjoy.

Prayer: God, all I can do is say thank you.  Help me be grateful for your many blessings!  Amen.