I don't do it on purpose but some holidays are just in your face and make you think about them so during my early morning drives to work this week I gave some thought to the Thanksgiving holiday. My first thoughts were actually cynical (which can't be helped when you lack sleep) such as 'How did the Thanksgiving holiday begin? Is it a religious holiday? Was there really friendly pilgrims and indians who got along long enough to celebrate Thanksgiving together? We know how the indians were treated in American history. Did Hallmark come up with Thanksgiving?' If you've ever wondered about the origin of Thanksgiving here's some information. It said that the pilgrims were thankful just to be alive after their arduous journey from England. I like that. It's simple. Chuck Missler, a Bible teacher, also wrote two articles about Thanksgiving, "The First Thanksgiving" and "Thanksgiving".

My next thought was more positive, I was glad that I had someOne who I can thank instead of just having a thankful attitude for good things. The word that came to me eventually for this Thanksgiving is contentment. It's a great word. I associate the word with Billy Joel because I saw an interview he had awhile ago where he was asked if he was happy now and he answered, "Happiness is an extreme emotion just like sadness. I would say that I am content." The Bible also comes to mind so I looked up some verses.

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who give me strength." - Philippians 4:11-13

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." - 1Timothy 6:6-10

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" - Hebrews 13:5

The Webster's New World Dictionary defines contented as "having or showing no desire for something more or different; satisfied." I hope you have a satisfied Thanksgiving Day! If nothing else, in your stomach.

I had lunch with Jason today and now am listening gleefully to his "Flaming Lips: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" cd. Susan has been cooking and stamping all day. We will join others at Sunhee's tonight for our Thanksgiving dinner. Thank God for friends who cook! Thank God also for the awesome weather today, sunny with blue skies!