The Tribune

By Rev. Angela C. Bosfield Palacious

While our neighbours to the north celebrate Thanksgiving, we continue to have harvest thoughts as well, so that it all speaks to us of being grateful. How often do you look at the news with tears in your eyes as you watch the suffering of souls just like ourselves but who happen to live in a different place at this time? Does it move you to pray for them on the one hand, and to thank God that your experience is so different on the other?

We have never had an actual war on our soil if we discount the Spanish-British skirmishes that kept changing ownership of our islands. We do not know what bombs sound like falling from our skies. We do not have the sound of marching boots pounding our streets or tanks patrolling our roadways. We are blessed not to have borders that permit invading armies to attack us in the night. Yes, our Defence Force officers, police, immigration, and customs officers are waging war against drugs, crime and illegal aliens but it is not the same.

Our stores overflow with items for sale and we are free to choose whether to purchase them here or abroad. Some of our people are indeed in dire straits, but a good number are living a good life. We have much to be thankful for, even as we are to reach out to assist those less fortunate than ourselves. The next time you look in your refrigerator or cupboard give God thanks for every item that you see and see how long it takes to say thank you to God.

Next, move to each drawer and the closet and start being grateful for each item of clothing, pair of shoes and accessories that you own. If you were to take inventory for insurance purposes of every piece, I wonder how much paper you would require. Add to the list every CD, DVD, video, book and magazine, along with cell phones, computers, lap tops, ipod and ipads. Let household items, furniture, appliances, vehicles and property complete the itemised list.

Leaving material things behind, what about our five senses, health, appearance and elusive qualities such as intelligence, spiritual maturity, general well-being, training, skills, hobbies, experience and expertise? To know how to pray, to be free to worship, vote, travel, drive, congregate, speak about authorities and all the other civil liberties that we so easily take for granted, are precious dreams waiting to be realised if we live elsewhere.

Yes, there is much that is not well but today let us pause to count our blessings, and evaluate our present condition with a view to being grateful. Just to know that we are loved by God is an immeasurable comfort.

After today, we can start to make lists of what needs to be changed and see how we can go about talking to persons who may be able to make a difference. Having measured how far we have come and given thanks for past achievements and present blessings, we can work to improve the standard of living for every person who is struggling to survive.
 
GIVE THANKS TODAY WITH A GRATEFUL HEART.