HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Ms. Gail, a first grade teacher, gave her class a fun assignment — to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful.

Most of the students drew pictures of turkeys and food, but Douglas, who was excluded by the popular kids, drew a picture of a hand.

His abstract image captured the imagination of his peers. Whose hand could it be? One child guessed it was the hand of a farmer, because farmers raise turkeys. Another suggested a police officer, because the police protect and care for people. Still others guessed it was the hand of God, for God feeds us.

Ms. Gail approached the young child and said, “Douglas, you’re the artist, you tell us!”

The little boy looked at her and exclaimed, “It’s yours, teacher!”

As she tried to hold back her tears, she recalled the times she had taken his hand and walked with him. How often had she said, “Take my hand, Douglas, we’ll go outside.” Or, “Let me show you how to hold your pencil.” Or, “Let’s do this together.”

Douglas was most thankful for his teacher’s hand. Whose hand are you thankful for today?

For some, today may be a day like a bouquet of roses, with good health, promotions, and family fun.

For others, today may look like a stem of thorns, with illnesses, failures and rejections.

No matter how your bouquet looks today, may I suggest you take the hand of God?

In His hands you’ll find mercy. 

In His hands you’ll find acceptance.

In His hands you’ll find security.

In His hands you’ll find forgiveness.

In His hands you’ll find the greatest gift of all:

Love, His Son, dying on the cross to give us life.

Come, let’s give thanks to God!

Come, let’s hold on to His hand.

Come, le’s find goodness and grace in our Savior, Jesus.

Come, those who are weary, in Him alone stand! 

Happy Thanksgiving, Dear Friend!

Dr. Samuel Kojoglanian

President, Beacon of Hearts Ministries