No Leftovers at Our House

"Let the peace that Christ gives rule in your hearts.
As parts of one body, you were appointed to live in peace.
And be thankful."
Colossians 3:15

Because we traveled to Atlanta to enjoy Thanksgiving with family, there are no leftovers at our house. No turkey sandwiches, turkey a la king, . . . etc., etc.  That's the downside of not cooking the Thanksgiving meal in your own home. The upside is someone else does the cooking and worries about who sits at the kids' table this year. I'm thankful either way. 

Gratitude paves the path to peace in Christ. 
Thanks, thanks and more thanks brings peace, peace and deeper peace. 
Just as sin piles up until we must "put" it somewhere before it suffocates us, gratitude accumulates in a long list of blessings that must be counted and savored in a release of  thanks to God. We could thank Him every second for some grace gift, even when we feel pressed down by an uncertain future.

Each second the choice stands before us:
      To focus on the "upside" by expressing gratitude to God for a past or present blessing and let His peace rule our hearts, or;
      To focus on the "downside" by ignoring the blessings and questioning God's love, goodness and faithfulness. 
      God's mercies are new every morning. Blessed assurance floods the soul that savors His blessings and tastes His peace.   
 
"Give thanks as you enter the gates of His temple.

Give praise as you enter its courtyards.
Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
The Lord is good. His faithful love continues forever.
It will last for all time to come."
Psalm 100:4-5