“Always be joyful.”

Tomorrow we begin a long weekend for Thanksgiving. Regardless of our situations, we have much to be thankful for in our lives. There are times in our business and lives that it is harder to take that perspective, but with a little work, we can find that we definitely have areas that we can be grateful. Tomorrow there will be businesses that will open up in the afternoon in hopes of gaining an edge on “Black Friday”. Many have derided these companies for “going too far”. Let’s remember that “Black Friday” is about the first day of the entire fiscal year that many retailers will turn from loss to break even, that is to profit. They wait for 11 months for this day, so who can blame them for wanting to move it up a few hours to maybe get an edge. There are others who just can’t believe that there were holiday trimmings and Christmas trees in the stores right after Halloween. Yes, that does seem a little much. I am of the mind that “Thanks” must come before “Joy” as I don’t know anyone who has true joy in their life who aren’t also extremely grateful and thankful of what they have. So, yes, I’d like to see us not gloss over Thanksgiving!

Jesus came so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. When we have the full joy of Christ in our lives it is because we recognize and accept what Jesus gave for us and we come from a place of unquestionable gratitude. So, without thanks, there really can’t be joy. As we go into tomorrow with family, friends and loved ones, let’s first give thanks for what God has given for us and to us, and then let’s convert that gratitude to a place of boundless joy to be spread to others.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Reference: 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (New Living Translation)