The Doctor had a serious look on his face. Bob braced himself for the worse. Doctor Wilderman began to tell him about the test. Then came the chilling words.. "Bob.. it's cancer.. and it's fatal. You have a few months at best."

It was just a few days later that Bob got the call to return to Doctor Wilderman's office. He found himself at the same desk. The Doctor looked even more worried than before. He looked at Bob and began to speak, "Bob, there has been a terrible mistake. The lab mixed up the tests. You aren't dying. You are in perfect health. I am so sorry about the mistake. I know the pain and heartache we have caused you and your family. You have evey cause to be upset and angry."

Bob just sat there for a moment, "Angry?" He replied, "I am not angry. I am blessed. Last week, when I walked out of this office. I looked up and felt the warm sun on my face. I looked at the flowers growing along the walk. I smelled fresh bread coming from the ovens across the street at the bakery. I stopped and realized just how wonderful life could be."

Bob had tears in eyes, "Doc, I went home and held my wife for the first time in a long time. I smelled her hair, I kissed her lips, I told her how much she meant to me. I took time to play with my children. I watched them draw silly little pictures and I realized how precious they were to me. On the job, at the store, in restaurants, every where I went I saw people who blessed my life."

Bob looked into the doctor's eyes, "Angry. No way, I am blessed because for the first time, I really appreciate my life."

Are We Thankful for Our Lives?

That's the way it is in life. Sometimes, we don't recognize how blessed we are. We forget how good life can be. We ignore the beauty of nature. The wonder of watching the snowflakes fall from the sky, the glorious sounds of rain falling on the roof, to smell the sweet fragrance of a rose, to taste cooling water from a mountain stream. We live in a wonderful world full of surprises.

We forget how important people are to us. It is easy to take for granted those we love the most. We come home and there are our wives, husbands, children and it is just another day in the household. When in reality we love them beyond measure. Sometimes, we just forget to tell them.

At this Thanksgiving season, we need to stop and count our blessings. We need to tell those we loved how much we care. We need to take time to play with our children. We need let the sun shine in our face, walk in the woods, smell the sweet aroma of baking bread, sit and listen to sounds of the city, and enjoy the precious gift of life.

We need to thank God for His precious gift. The gift of life.. and the gift of the promise of eternal life through His Son.. Jesus. You see It is He who has blessed us with every good thing.

Let's celebrate this time of year by showing all those we meet how grateful we are to be part of life. Let the gratitude show on your face, let it be heard in your voice and share it with everyone who touches our lives.