I like the words that are used in Spanish for Thanksgiving Day- Dia de Accion de Gracias; directly translated, it is “the day of the action of thanks”! Somehow when you say it that it way, it compels me to see it as a day of actively giving thanks.
It feels like instead of the day being about food, football, family, rest, shopping, etc, that it would be more appropriate for me to go about talking to God and others about how thankful I am. Or maybe even better, it would be to be walking around showing people that I am thankful for them.
The word “action” is not passive- they actually use the words in opposition; verbs are either active or passive, people can be either active or passive in communication, or even a pacifist is active in what he believes.
So here it goes- the beginning of my Action of Thanks:
- An Air plant wreath that was generously purchased for me by co-workers because they just knew I would like it!
- Having a meeting with all Spanish speakers, in Spanish, and being able to understand most of it!
- A husband who is alive after a heart scare a few weeks ago!
- Enough money to feed and shelter us!
- Two cats that cozy up in the crooks of my body when I sleep- this is nice until I want to move!
- Being part of a community that values verbal blessings for birthday celebrations!
- Studying and being challenged with “hesed” love (look it up!) with a community of fellow believers!
- A precious baby to hold and toddler to play with!
- Freedom to come and go in our borrowed Nica car, and most of the money in the bank to purchase the right one when it comes along!
- A husband who loves to share God’s words!
- So many people who support us financially- this alone is amazing and humbling!
- Hundreds of people who supported us in pray during Stephen’s hospital stay- me receiving just the right words, thoughts, and people when I needed it!
- Three birthday celebrations and two thanksgiving celebrations!
- Amazing sunsets, an active volcano close by, and fields of sugar cane!
- Neighbor girls who try out there English when I walk by!
- Knowing that this Thanksgiving I am more thankful than in the past few years- I see God’s work in my life!
- And so much more…
What is your “action of thanks today”?