Is there anything to be thankful for when you are homeless? One would not think so. Yet even the poor soul in the picture has something to be thankful for – he can still crochet. There are people who are so handicapped by arthritis in their hands that they cannot pursue their favourite pastime of crocheting.

There are many things we take for granted in life or that we consider as our right that we forget to be thankful for. Like our health (your ability to walk, see, hear or smell, the lack of constant pain or a life-threatening disease), our loved ones, our beautiful surroundings, our culture and history, our opportunities and experiences, a roof over my head and food on the table, the Lord’s love for me and that He will never forsake me, all the miracles I have seen, the freedom I enjoy to worship God when, where, how I please, the opportunities to be responsible for my dependents, my environment or my relationship with God or to be allowed to associate with whomever I want.

Once I truly realize what I have it makes me happy and can I see what I do not have in perspective. If I constantly need more and more without being thankful for what I already have, I will never be happy.

Thankfulness is one of the pillars of happiness. And without happiness you cannot lead a fulfilled life. Make no mistake – there is nothing wrong with trying to improve on what you already have but it should not be driven by your lack of thankfulness for what you already have. Be content but not complacent.

Everything we have we owe to God and we have to answer to Him for it. It is not just a matter of receiving from God – each gift is a blessing and we have to be thankful for what we have received and try to make the best of our gift. We serve Him and help establish His Kingdom here in South Africa by making the best of what He has given each of us.

As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6‭-‬7 ASV