A notable magazine asked prominent people in varying professions this question: “If you could be granted one wish that would come true right now, what would it be?” As you might guess, a wide range of answers were given; however, one response so impressed the editors they made it into a feature article. That response was, “I wish I could be given an even greater ability to appreciate what I already have.”
Wow! That is a great answer! Can you imagine a community where people immediately became more appreciative, if they suddenly became more thankful? Reduced to a smaller scale, what about a family where each member expressed appreciation for each other?
I don’t know what that means to you, but when I was a teen that change in me would have been a huge blessing for my mom. Today that change would bless my family and my friends. No one likes to be taken for granted or to see someone they love taking God’s blessings for granted. We like to be shown appreciation. We like to see those we love show appreciation.
Children guided into gratitude find it easier to develop healthy perspectives and people skills in later years. We who are older may have to un-learn some behaviors and replace them with new ones. Here’s a tough lesson I had to learn. I spent years thinking that Bible study was about accumulating facts, memorizing and quoting scripture. While these are good and profitable, they are intended as means to develop characteristics of a disciple. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Knowledge puffs up, love builds up.” Doc and I have a friend who says it this way, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
It’s wonderful to see gratitude in the generations that follow us. Each Thanksgiving Day, I’m encouraged by my children and grandchildren as they share memories of people and past moments. We have a tradition during our meal. Someone starts by saying why the person to the left is special; then that person does the same for the one to the left; it continues until all are mentioned. Then we ask if anyone has a special Thanksgiving memory to share. Most of the time we laugh, sometimes we cry, but either way it’s wonderful.
Do you have a tradition? If not, why not start this year? If you’re interested, below I added a 3-Answers in 5-Seconds Thanksgiving Family Game. It’s a non-contact (usually) activity. It’s goofy and fun and gets everyone involved. Family time is for making memories and giving thanks.
In our hearts, we know that all we have comes from God, but sometimes we need reminding. God used Moses to remind people of this long ago then preserved his words for people today.
“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” - Deut. 8:17-18
I read about a couple who cared for lots of foster children, most of whom were desperate for love and affection and affirmation. They felt lost and alone. They would try to please the couple as a way of securing or earning a place in their home. The couple believed God gave them their house to use for Him, so they did. They reinforced their love for each child every day, letting them know they didn’t have to earn a place in the family – they were family. Interviewed years later as adults, some of those foster children told of their precious memories with the couple and how they had helped to change, and in some cases, save their lives.
The Best Team Ever is blessed to be difference-makers in a world where care and compassion not only change lives, but in some cases, can save lives. Thank you for giving yourself to others. May we all practice Thanksliving this season and every season.
Remember – you are greatly loved!
Thankgiving Family Game
3-ANSWERS IN 5-SECONDS
Items needed: a timer or watch, 2 large bags of M&M’s (1 bag is to be hidden, 1 bag is shown as a prize), a coin, a volunteer timekeeper
Instructions: timekeeper divides people into 2 teams, announces winning team will receive a large bag of M&M’s to share then flips a coin to see which team starts; alternating from team to team, each member has 5 seconds to answer a question; if it’s answered in 5 seconds, that team gets a point, if not then no point; at the end of the game the winning team is awarded the M&M’s then the hidden 2nd bag of M&M’s is given to the other team & timekeeper announces, ‘It’s Thanksgiving – everyone wins!’
5-Second Game Questions: (feel free to skip or substitute any question or substitute for M&M’s)
- Name 3 things you put gravy on
- Name 3 types of pies
- Name 3 things to watch on TV Thanksgiving Day
- Name 3 superheroes
- Name 3 Thanksgiving food items besides turkey
- Name 3 people you are grateful for
- Name 3 types of cookies
- Name 3 things that fall from trees
- Name 3 celebrities to play you in a movie of your life
- Name 3 words that rhyme with pie
- Name 3 parts of a turkey you don’t want to eat
- Name 3 holiday movies – any holiday
- Name 3 Disney princesses
- Name 3 things you would spend $1000 on
–Jackie Chesnutt, Chaplain and Emotional Support Coach for Myers-Davis (11/24/2025)
