Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34
Happy Thanksgiving from your Nussbaum family! We have many reasons to be grateful.
What Keeps Us From Thanksgiving?
In a season of buying presents and making Christmas lists, we can easily forget to be thankful for what we already have. What keeps us from giving thanks?
A Story of Thanks ~ The Content Fisherman
In a small coastal village, there lived a fisherman. Every morning, the fisherman would take his small boat out to sea and return by noon with just enough fish to feed his family and sell a few at the market. He spent his afternoons relaxing with his family, playing with his children, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
One day, a wealthy businessman visited the village. He saw the fisherman’s catch and was impressed by the quality of the fish. The businessman approached him and said, “Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish? You could sell them and make a lot of money.”
The fisherman smiled and replied, “What would I do with more money?”
The businessman said, “You could buy a bigger boat, hire more fishermen, and catch even more fish. Soon, you could own a fleet of boats and become very rich.”
The fisherman asked, “And then what?”
The businessman continued, “Then you could spend your days managing your business, making deals, and expanding your empire.”
The fisherman asked again, “And then what?”
The businessman replied, “Then you could retire, move to a peaceful village, spend time with your family, and enjoy life.”
The fisherman chuckled and said, “But that’s exactly what I’m doing now. I have enough to provide for my family, and I spend my days enjoying life. Why would I need more?”
The businessman was taken aback by the fisherman’s response. He realized that the fisherman had already found the contentment and happiness that he himself was still chasing.
Reasons for Thanks
This parable teaches us that true contentment comes from appreciating what we have and finding joy in the simple things of life. It reminds us that pursuing more isn’t always necessary for happiness. What simple pleasures bring you contentment? Let’s find reasons to give thanks, together. For example – our friends, family, and faith. Clothes on our back. Food on our plates. We are beyond thankful for our drivers on the road, our office personel, and maintenance staff. We wish you a happy Thanksgiving!
