The Art of Giving Thanks

Several beautiful paintings are hanging on the walls of my home. Although I share DNA with the lovely artist, I unfortunately do not share this talent. I’ve tried. Without the help of tools within my laptop, the images in my head just do not translate properly onto paper. Much like my dance moves, I’m afraid. I’m an amazing dancer in my head. You’ll just have to trust me on that one. 

But my MawMaw can paint. Each watercolor and oil painting on display makes me think of her. And the outdoors. The landscapes she put on paper fit nicely into the landscape of our family narrative. 

With a daily passing glance, I see mountains, lakes, sunsets, magnolia blossoms, and bluebonnet fields — all things I am easily thankful for.

But when I pause and look deeper, I see something simpler. Something easier to overlook. 

Those framed pieces of art are hanging on a wall. Walls of a home. Something that I took for granted until there was a time I didn’t have them.

So often I am taking for granted that for which I should be giving thanks. 

Taking is easy. Giving is harder. 

Gratitude for the obvious comes naturally. Gratitude for the simple requires a little more effort. 

Being thankful for the wonderful is easy. Being thankful for the sorrowful is challenging.

But with a single motion of a pigment-soaked paintbrush, the paralyzing power of the blank canvas can be destroyed. For no situation is completely void of color. Each canvas is worthy of a stroke of thanksgiving.

And a masterpiece of gratitude blesses recipient and artist alike. 

But like any art form, we must practice. Daily dipping into the palate of appreciation and spreading brushstrokes of gratitude wherever we go. Layers upon layers of praise and thanksgiving to the Creator of color and canvas, the Master Artist.

And like those paintings were passed to me, we must pass down the art of giving thanks to the next generations.

May framed masterpieces of thanksgiving serve as reminders hanging on the walls of our hearts.

And may we always find reasons to dance — no matter our lack of dancing abilities. 

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