“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) 

Friends,

During this season of gratitude, I want to share with you this silly but perspective-giving piece called the Sad Santa Letter, which was posted on the Grey Nomad’s Forum.

Dear Santa,

When I was a child, my father cheated on my mum.  Later, my parents divorced.

Soon after, my mother died in a car accident.

My brother and I could only live in my grandma’s old house.

Grandma’s sister was an alcoholic.  The whole family lived on my grandma’s savings.  Grandma recently died.

My Uncle Andy is barely keeping himself out of jail from day to day.

My brother left home and won’t talk to us any more.

Dad, now 74, [and even after a cancer battle] had to go out to work to support the family and eventually is going to want me to do the same thing.

Yours Sincerely,

Prince William

I don’t think Prince William wrote this—just someone who wanted to teach an object lesson, perhaps in perspective.  The bottom line is that Prince William has suffered quite a bit in life; the contents of this Sad Santa Letter are all true.  We similarly go through life experiencing many misfortunes, but I wonder how we could turn such a letter around and start by recounting blessings instead…(and say something like, “Fortunately, my grandma had a mansion and massive wealth.”)   I’ve talked to many people over the years who practice intentional gratitude.  In other words, they start each day by naming and thanking God for all their blessings, and that makes all the difference.  These are the people we like to be around.  May we be intentional in giving God our heartfelt thanks this season.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Co-Pastor Sandi