Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Today is Thanksgiving Day—a day to reflect on our many blessings and give thanks to the Lord for His faithfulness. Wouldn’t it be great if every day were Thanksgiving Day? For my cousin Marion it was.

Due to some mental and physical challenges, my cousin Marion spent all of her adult years in foster care homes. For over a decade, she lived in a home that was only a few miles from where my husband and I lived while we were raising our kids in Michigan. Whenever I had the chance, I’d take my kids with me to visit her—especially around the holidays. It wasn’t always convenient to bundle up three little ones in their snowsuits, boots, and mittens, but it was always worth the trip.

Marion may have had some special needs that limited her activities and engagement in society, but she was special in ways that made her like no one else I have ever known. Marion was thankful for everything—every day. She was thankful for the window in her small room so she could watch the clouds sweep through the sky. One of her favorite things was watching the birds find food to eat. She would get excited just talking about it. Marion was thankful for her radio so she could listen to Christian music and Christian programs. She often listened to the news so she would know what was happening in the world. Although she was unable to attend church, she was thankful that the church she had attended as a child sent her the weekly bulletin. Every day she would read through the bulletin and pray for the names and events that were listed from week to week. “I can’t go to church anymore, but I can still pray for the people,” she would say with a smile on her face.

One time when I was there, she told me about her new job. “I get to fold the towels when they come out of the dryer!” she said with enthusiasm. “They smell so fresh and clean, and I can honor God by folding them the best that I can. I am so thankful for my job!”

Visiting Marion always made me feel humbled and blessed beyond words. I envied her ability to live in a state of continual gratitude. If I spent time listing all the things I should be thankful for, I’d probably never finish the list because it would be endless.

May you have a blessed Thanksgiving and may your blessings be more numerous than the pumpkins in a pumpkin patch!

Crystal Bowman