Harvest – a time for some real thanksgiving!

Regular Network Norfolk columnist,  Ruth Starkings, is urging us to count our blessings this harvest time

At Harvest-time we often spend time being thankful. Attending a Harvest Festival is an opportunity to be grateful for all we have and the many blessings we enjoy. A time to celebrate all the good things we have and consider how we can share these with others
 
Yet, each day is an opportunity to be thankful and grateful. In each new day there are blessings to be found, although as we look to the world around us, choosing to feel blessed and thankful may not be our first thought. Instead we might feel sadness, disbelief, despair, anger, loss, injustice or even rage. We may feel completely overwhelmed and wonder whether there is anything good to be thankful for
 
Yet, what if we were to pull away from those negative feelings and determine to find the brighter moments? I do not believe we should ignore all that is happening, although by choosing thankfulness over hopelessness maybe we could make a difference in our worlds, in the places where we tread
 
We do not have to go far to find blessings or to see something for which we can be thankful. Blessings can be found in a smile...in a kind word...in a thoughtful deed...in a moment shared...in saying hello...in encouraging one another...in saying thank you...in a beautiful sunrise...in friendship...in putting someone first...in doing to others what you would have them do to you
 
By looking for blessings and choosing to be thankful our day becomes brighter. If we are bold enough each day to keep on looking, life becomes brighter still. This brightness may then shine onto the paths of others, bringing hope and newness
 
This time of year we often see the Harvesters who are reaping, gathering and storing what has been grown. They are working to make a difference to the lives of people around them. In turning our thoughts outwards, to those around us, our actions may become more meaningful and valuable
 
As we celebrate Harvest and consider all the good gifts we have, maybe we can also take those thoughts into the following days and determine to make thankfulness and blessing part of each new day
 
The image above is courtesy of https://pixabay.com

Ruth Starkings is the Family Worker at Meadow Way Chapel in Hellesdon. She also enjoys writing, and just over a year ago started a blog called ‘With Every Sun Comes A New Day’

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