We can always find something to be thankful for, no matter what may be the burden of our wants, or the special subject of our petitions. – Albert Barnes

small vegetable garden filled with tomatoes, peppers, squash, okra

For the past few years, we have been inundated with a Pandemic, rising food and gas prices, as well as empty shelves in the grocery stores. A lack of rain in the summer hurt our grass, gardens, and hay supplies.

Life has been difficult. But even in the hard times, there is always something we can find to be thankful for. For me, instead of lamenting the lack of rain, I give thanks to a well that works. It allows me to water the vegetables.

nest of brown, cream, white, blue, and pink eggs

Bare grocery store shelves don’t scare me. Instead, I am grateful for the knowledge and ability to grow at least some of my own food.  I have a better appreciation of my skills to take food from that garden, prepare meals for my family, and preserve the rest.

Rather than cry over the heat of the summer, I feel blessed to have air conditioning and fans. In the cold winters, I am thankful for a warm fire and quilts to cuddle up under.

Mason jar-style mug, red plastic Christmas glass, green wine glass, cut crystal glass

No matter where I look, what I need, or who I am with, I can find something to be thankful for, ‘no matter what may be the burden’.

I once read a book in which the writer told a story. While sitting at the table, the people around it were instructed to look at a glass partially filled. They were all asked it the glass was half full or half empty. Once person commented, ‘I’m just glad there’s a glass!’ Because the glass was there, the liquid in it was contained.

pitcher of lemonade with floating lemon slices, glass of lemonade with a lemon slice and mint garnish

This Thanksgiving don’t worry about whether your glass is half full or half empty. Instead, look around you at all the ‘glasses’ you have – a God who loves you, a family to cherish, friends to enjoy, and a home that is your safe haven in good times and in hard times. And before you know it, you will realize your glass isn’t half full or half empty – instead, it is overflowing.

I lift my glass to you, and wish you a very Simple Happy Thanksgiving, and overflowing glasses.

Julie Murphree is a blogger, newspaper columnist, and speaker on all things ‘Living a Simple Life on the Farm’. She is the author of \\\'The Farm Wife – Living a Simple Life on the Farm. She and her husband have 60 acres in NW Louisiana where they actively work on living as sustainable as possible.

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