Lesson 152: The Knack of Being Thankful

Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

I recently had occasion to recall my first experience at playing softball. I was a young lad in the 3rd grade and I attended a small one-room school that was taught by a wondrous lady by the name of Marie Smith. There were a total of eight boys that were enrolled. Three had the surname of Caudill; three were sons of a Cornett, there was a boy with the last name of Johns and then myself. One spring morning, Ms. Marie came to school and had purchased some softballs, bat, and gloves, stating that we were going to start a team and would be playing other schools. She said we would be making our own uniforms and would have to keep our field in order. We were all excited and finished the projects in and around school.

I remember the first day of practice. Ms. Marie had us form a circle and she asked us what was our dream. She asked how many wanted to play major league ball when we grew up and immediately all hands went flying in the air. She stopped for a moment, smiled, and then said something that I have held onto for all these years. “Your dream begins today.” And she went on to explain that with hard work, talent, inspiration, motivation, and determination you can become whatever you chose to be. We were so motivated and determined. We practiced hard, played inspired and won two games (one by default the other by luck) that season. Not one of us went on to be a major league player. In fact, our skills were so poor and we all lacked the talent needed to do so. None of us ever played in high school or college. But our dream began that day and continues to this very moment. How thankful I am to have had Ms. Marie in my life believing in my poor skills in playing ball but planting a seed of determination in the fields that had fertile soil. “You can resolve to be whatever you chose to be,’ are the words of the great Stonewall Jackson. Ms. Marie’s voice still echoes in my heart as one of the many that I feel honored to have led me down the path of self-realization.

I asked my class yesterday two questions. One was what is your dream and the other was what are you thankful for? The answers were enlightening. They ranged from I don’t have any dreams to I don’t know. As per being thankful, answers ranged from I don’t have anything, my four-wheeler, to I can’t think of anything. I was beginning to think I had asked the wrong Thanksgiving questions until a small boy (considered to be one of the meanest and poorest in our school) said, “I am thankful for a roof over my head, food that I get, my granny that believes in me and that I am forgiven when I act bad.”

For a moment we were all silent, as we reflected upon his gratitude and the shift of direction and attitude in the conversation. I spoke next and stated how thankful I was simply to get out of bed this morning with most of my body cooperating. I stated that I was thankful for God’s gift of His Son and being forgiven for my sins. I spoke of my love for my children and how happy I am that they are realizing their dreams. And then I named some people that had believed in me when I did not believe in myself. I then told them of my dreams and how I live it each day and am able to praise God for the storms in my life as well as the sun.

The students changed their direction due to the leadership of that little boy and what was simply going to be a mini lesson prior to the Pledge of Allegiance (Yes we still say that each morning!) Turned out to be one of the moments in a classroom that you will never forget. All students talked of being thankful; even those that thought they had nothing to be thankful for began writing their many blessings and dreams.

Let me ask you two questions. What are you thankful for? What are your dreams? Reflect a moment, and then share your thankfulness with someone. Tell of your dreams and then aspire to reach them. God had a dream that I am so thankful for. He offered His very son, His only son on the cross for our salvation. His dream was a gift to all. For He so loved the world that he gave up His Son. Should we not be thankful for that? Let us rejoice in the knowledge that all our dreams, all our gratitude comes from God’s love. That is the good news. Rejoice this day and everyday let us be thankful for the bounty that has been placed upon our plate. We are alive! We will have abundant life and all things are possible to those that believe. My dreams of peace, happiness, and joy are realized this day, as I trust alone in Christ for on in which I am eternally thankful. Happy Thanksgiving from your grateful servant, The Old General