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Thankfulness in Any Language

My kids love speaking Spanish. They only know 6 or 7 words, but for some reason it brings them great joy to speak Spanish. When Luke, my 7-year old, was first learning it, he insisted I have conversations with him in Spanish. Here’s how it would go;

Luke: Hola!
Me: Hola! Como esta?
Luke: Y tu?

When translated, it looks like this.

Luke: Hi!
Me: Hi. How are you?
Luke: And you?

I never said my kids were very good at speaking Spanish. When I pointed out where he went wrong, this only caused him to laugh uncontrollably and do it repeatedly.

My children are quite stellar at repeating things, especially when those things are my bad habits. I got to thinking about this because we are on the verge of repeating another round of holidays; Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas and New Year. And while I am not a bah-hum-bug, I don't exactly go running up and down the streets like Jimmy Stewart shouting 'Season's Greetings' to anyone and everyone.

Just ask my wife how I react when she reminds me it's time to put up the Christmas tree. I respond as if she's asked me to clean out a septic tank. But that's going to change this year. This year I will not only consider all I am thankful for, I will choose to live that gratitude out. I will joyfully set up a tree, thankful that I have the freedom to celebrate my Lord's birth.

I will elbow my way through crowds, thankful I have means to shop for loved ones. I will say goodbye to nights normally quiet to attend Christmas parties, thankful for friends that I can celebrate with. I will cut wrapping paper and tear tape, appreciating the smiles from those who will open their gifts.

My life will reflect Colossians 2:6-7 "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

I will choose to be thankful for every part of this holiday season and beyond. Y tu?

This was originally posted on November 23, 2010. Consider this Turkey leftovers before you celebrate. 
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