“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
We all have gratitude for much in our lives, even in times we may not realize it. Oftentimes, we may find ourselves unsure of how to convey our gratitude to those we’d like to show appreciation for. This is typically to no fault of our own, though the issue can be remedied by the simple and oft suggested method of taking account of all that for which we are grateful. Beyond this, however, are even more ways to reinforce our feelings of gratitude and their display. On a number of occasions, Christ alludes to the importance in sharing with others the grace which He has shared with us (ie. Matthew 18: 2135, Matthew 5: 3-12, Luke 6:31, and John 13: 34-35). Ways in which we can do this to convey our gratitude, as the fall begins, are numerous.
Spending time with family and friends, enjoying the beauty of the autumn nature, can certainly allow us to share our feelings of thankfulness with these people, while upcoming holidays allow us to do the same, potentially with even larger groups. Additionally, charitable acts can often help one truly realize their gratitude and also find contentment in helping others. As school begins for many this month, donation drives for supplies are sure to be found locally, while many organizations work yearround to provide clothes and food to those who need them.
–James Stone
