For some, today is a day of giving thanks for achieving success.  For many of us, today is a day of reflection and giving thanks for surviving hard times and life's obstacles.  Whether we are giving thanks for overcoming adversity or triumph over hardships endured, there are many ways to express our thanks.  But in this season of giving thanks we must not simply give thanks, we must live thanks.

John F. Kennedy once said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”  Kennedy’s words ring even more true today.  We live in an ever-changing technological world, one in which the methods of communication are transforming so quickly that people do not have the opportunity to learn them before the next innovation occurs.  As for technologies that give us the ability to communicate words of gratitude, there are a lot out there—cell phones, e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, text messaging and blogs—but none take the place of person to person actions of gratitude.   

So as we sit down at the table tonight in fellowship with our family and friends, let us maintain an attitude of gratitude about everything: from the food we eat to the moments of laughter and tears of joy we share, from our family and friends who are not able to be with us to those who have joined our table for the first time, from those who inspire us to those who curse us and most of all, let us express an action of gratitude to Him for the gift to cherish another day.  

As we celebrate together, we create new memories of spending time with our families and friends and hope for a better future.  We may be in a time of great challenges, but by living gratitude we can create great attitude, for we know the best days for our community and Missouri are yet to come.

Best wishes for a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

~ Cyrus