What a better time to say thanks than on Thanksgiving Day?

As we gather in our homes with family and friends for the traditional feast, why not take a moment or two to count your blessings and give thanks for them.

Here are few ”blessings” that easily come to mind:

•We live in a nation that is resplendent in its natural beauty, from majestic snow-capped mountains to lush, green river valleys, from deep inland lakes to sun-bathed beaches and from vibrant cities to peaceful country hamlets. In what other continent can you find its inhabitants sunbathing in the south and ice fishing in frozen lakes in the north at the same time.

•We live in a nation that has a bountiful supply of food 365 days of the year. No generation of farmers has been more productive than the current one even though the number of farms has been in decline for many years. Although they are fewer in number, today’s farmers are producing two and one-half times the amount of food they were producing 30 years ago. This trend not only has made the nation self-sufficient but also has made it a major exporter to other nations around the world.

•We live in the land of the free and home of the brave where nothing matters more than to protect the personal freedoms we enjoy. That’s why millions of Americans have served in our military forces and why many have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. That’s also why millions continue to volunteer to serve in the military around the world, even though duty calls for many of them to be in harm’s way.

•Last, but certainly not least, we live in a community where a conservative lifestyle is the norm, where good education is emphasized, where the rule of law and the rights of others are respected and where the church is considered to be the place to be on Sunday.

No doubt, our blessings are many. Let’s not forget to say a prayer of thanks for them on Thanksgiving Day.