Greatest gifts are the simplest posted Wednesday, November 21st, 2012 @ 9:07 am  E-mail Story |  Print Story  BY PASTOR JERRY SHARP JR. SUNNYSIDE CHURCH What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving? That was the question I asked the group of children this past Sunday at Sunnyside, the church where I pastor. I remember Thanksgiving as being one of my favorite holidays. A week off of school, the opportunity to play with my cousins, duck hunting with my Dad and brother and eating homemade cakes and pies are memories I will forever cherish. How could you not love a week like that? Interestingly enough, it seems that not much has changed in the mind of a child over the past few generations. They still look forward to the same things that I did when I was a child. Out of the dozen or so children in the class, not one child expressed an interest in the infamous "Black Friday" that now begins on Thanksgiving Thursdays. In reflection of 2012, we have many things to be thankful for: bumper crops, a child rounding third base, or a good report from your doctor. The majority of us have never experienced being without a home, clothing or food, yet so often we find it difficult to express our thankfulness for these simple things. Throughout scripture, we see that God desires to bless His children. Our lack of gratitude often separates us from His hand of blessing. Don't we all want to live a life that is blessed? Possessing a grateful heart is a great first step. During this time of the year, we should take an inventory of what blessings we have been provided. While spending time with family and friends this Thanksgiving week, think about every aspect of your life that God has truly blessed. Commit to reflecting each and every day on those blessings, and to give God the credit and the thanks that he deserves. The greatest gifts to be thankful for are often life's simplest. Like a child that plays with the box that the toy came in, we too can experience happiness in those simple things. Philippians 4:6-7: "…tell God what you need and thank Him for that he has done…" For the full story, subscribe to the The Concordia Sentinel's NEW E-Edition!