I guess of all the holidays I like Thanksgiving the most. Primarily, it's not as commercialized as Christmas and I have never been into spooks and goblins. Now don't get me wrong, I love Christmas especially in the faces of small children and the giving to others. But there is something about Thanksgiving. It's synonymous with family, the smell of cooking in the kitchen, watching football (even if A&M will lose this year to Texas for the first time in three years). It's smoked turkey, cranberries, pumpkin pie, dressing, and coconut cream pie (my favorite).  Most of all, it's a reflection over the past year and an annual reminder of how good God has been to us. It's holding hands and praying a prayer of Thanksgiving to the one who makes it all possible.

In the midst of this economy, lost jobs, mortgages, and pervasive lack of confidence, what do we have to be thankful for? Lots. Being thankful isn't just when times are good. Being thankful is what you do in spite of your situation because you realize you don't deserve what you already have anyway. And you as a leader of others can be an example of what it means to be thankful no matter the circumstances. Model that with what you say and what you do. One man in prison knew what being thankful meant when he said, "I'm not anxious about anything, but in prayer and petitions, with Thanksgiving, I present my requests to God."

I'm thankful for my family and for friends like you. I'm blessed beyond anything a man could ever deserve.

How about you? This year if you don't have a tradition at Thanksgiving try this one on: Go around the table and ask each person to mention one thing they are thankful for and then bow and thank the God of heaven for his being kind enough grace you one more Thanksgiving. Make it a memorable one this year.

rb