We, as adults, notice it in kids (especially in our kids), but we seem to be blind to it in our own lives too. 

We have a God who painted the heaven in stunning splendor and colored the fields with beautiful flowers.  Drive through the country in the fall and see absolute marvel of His hand in what we call the "fall colors" in the tree.  The Psalmist said the the heavens display His handiwork, to which I look up and struggle to contain a sarcastic comment of "DUH!"  We llive in the most prosperous nation on the earth and yet we seem to struggle to stop and say thank you to God.

I asked kids to close their eyes as I painted a picture for them.  I asked them to imagine they had been diagnosed with a terminal illness .  The disease was so contagious that the law said you had to live outside the ciy until you die.  The disease you have is one that was very prominent in Jesus' day and it still exists in some places today.  That disease is leprosy.  I told them how once leprosy began to run it's course it would eat away at your body.  Eventually the tips of your fingers, or the lobes of your ears may fall off.  Your whole existence was reduced to waiting to die. 

Then one day you look up and you see that man that everyone is talking about coming down the street.  The guy that everyone says might, or might not be the Messiah.  Somehow when you see Him you know deep inside yourself that it's true: He really is the Messaih.  Your hope is not only kindled, but suddenly burns red hot!  You can't contain yourself, you scream at the top of you diseased lungs: "JESUS, IF YOU ARE WILLING, YOU CAN MAKE ME CLEAN!!!" You realize he heard you as it appears He may now be coming your direction.  Your heart beats so hard you wouldn't be surprised to see it beat out of your chest (especially in your present condition), but then you hear His disciples say, "Jesus, NO, don't do it.  He's just a filthy leper. Yuk, Jesus, he has no nose.  Jesus, No, Jesus, you could get his disease."  However Jesus totally ignores them and He walks up to you, cups your face in is hand and says, "I am willing, be clean."  Then at that instant you are totally healed.

I asked them if they would be thankful if that was what happened.  Well, in spite of what our circumstances look like, we need to be as thankful to God, our Parents, Teachers and friends as we would be if such a healing was our reality.  Because our sin problem was such a sickness God the Father sent Jesus His Son to deal with it.  Then I gave those who don't yet know him the opportunity to receive Jesus. 

Maybe you are the one who needs to take a step and say, "I thank you, Jesus, I need you."  I encourage you as you read this to say this simple prayer from your heart: "I thank you, Jesus. You died for me, rose again for me, forgive all my sins, come into my heart, make me the champion you want me to be, in Jesus name, Amen." 

Maybe you've done that, but you realize today that you have a thankfulness issue. If so, take a minute to deal with it, right now; then have a truly thankful Holiday season.--BOB