The Thanksgiving holiday is a good time to focus on our blessings and declare our gratitude to God.

In 1621, following harvest, the pilgrims set aside a time of Thanksgiving to God. Much like we enjoy a day with family and friends, they celebrated with deer and turkey hunted by the men, and corn, beans, and pumpkins the women cooked. Even the children gathered nuts and berries from the woods.

Indians joined the Pilgrims for a three-day feast. The Indians listened as the Pilgrims read the Bible and raised special prayers of thanksgiving to God. It was a happy time of fellowship in what we would consider very sparse surroundings. God was pleased and received their words of thanks.

However, thanks must become a daily, hourly, even a minute by minute occasion in our lives. Thanksgiving is woven through the Psalms. Praise should be an integral part of our communication with our Heavenly Father. He is so pleased when we praise and thank Him for our material and spiritual blessings. We must always remember to thank Him for answered prayer. God’s provision should never be taken for granted.

Would you, this Thanksgiving, tell our marvelous God, "I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart?"