give thanks

Dear Candice,
today is my little brother's birthday. He's 8 today. He's growing up so fast that it's had to keep up with him.
I guess I could go on all day about him. He means so much to me. I would do anything for him.

But that's not what this letter is about.
I want to talk about something that faded out a few weeks ago.
Something that was such a big deal for one day, but then the next day, it was like nothing ever happened.
Something so cliche, so seemingly "overrated."
Something seemingly forgotten in the world I live in.
Candice, I want to talk about gratitude.
Thanksgiving is the day that we all fellowship with our families and talk about how thankful we are for each other. It's that one day of the year when you feel compelled to be humble- but just one day.
That's the problem.
It only lasts for one day. The thing I find funniest is that Black Friday is the very next day. Black Friday: the one day of the year that it's somehow legal to wake up at 2 am and throw elbows at vicious women at the mall. All Black Friday is is a day when we're allowed to be as selfish as we want...just the day after the one day a year when we are thankful for what we have. All leading up to a holiday where all we do is receive more.
The thing is, it's impossible to gratefully receive with clenched fists.
I want you to do something right now. Hold out one of your hands. Think about one thing that is by far the MOST   important thing in your whole life. Now clench your fist as hard as you can, as if your life depends on it. Hold on to that one thing as hard as you can. Don't stop.
Ok look at your hand. Doesn't that represent our hearts sometimes? Holding on so tight to something that may not even really matter in the long run.
Ok now let go of that one thing. Drop it. Surrender it to the Lord.
Ok now turn your hand up so that your palm is facing up. Receive what God has to offer. Let Him fill you up. Hold on to HIM.
Thank Him for what He has done for you.
Just thank Him.
I love you.
Love,
Sara