Harold L. Johnson, 33°
800 23rd Avenue N., Clinton, Iowa 52732-2112

A psychologist once stated, "It is not in the nature of a human being to be grateful." Everyone tends to look for some "big event" for which to be grateful. But how many such events occur compared to the multitude of little things we experience every day? How many times do we stop to thank God for just being alive? Certainly that's a big event, but we take it for granted from day to day. How many times do we stop to be thankful for our family, our home, our friends, our freedom, our abundant food, and the myriad conveniences we enjoy in our wonderful world? Consider our ability to communicate as we do in so many ways and the ever-ready automobile to serve us at a moment's notice. What would our world be like if all telephones and computers were discarded and all autos put up on blocks? In this high-tech world, we cannot foresee what mind-boggling invention may be just around the corner that will affect our lives in some wonderful way.

Then, of course, there is the beauty of the world, the sunshine, the moonlight, the magic paintbrush of autumn. How often do we stop, marvel at a sunrise or sunset, and thank the Creator for the glory of existence? Let us become more conscious of how blessed we are. Let us acquire the spirit of thanksgiving every day of the year for all the little things that mean so much but, alas, are so often overlooked.

Reprinted, edited for length, from the Scottish Rite Masonic Booster News, Clinton, Iowa
(November 1, 2000)