With Thanksgiving just days away, the Resident Strangers crew sat down to reflect on the themes of gratitude and thankfulness. After swapping their own Thanksgiving plans, the conversation shifted toward what it truly means to live with a thankful heart.

Rich shared that growing and maturing in Christ is deeply tied to learning contentment, that gratitude is, in many ways, the opposite of selfishness. Sometimes all it takes is stepping back and gaining a fresh perspective to rekindle a spirit of thankfulness.

Steve pointed to Psalm 50:23 and Psalm 100 as reminders that thanksgiving and worship go hand in hand. The New Testament echoes this as well when Paul famously calls believers to be thankful in all circumstances in Philippians. There’s something powerful about refusing to let our circumstances define our gratitude.

Rich also admitted that the more he intentionally focuses on what he can be grateful for, the less miserable he becomes. Gratitude really does matter whether it’s for something as simple as a warm cup of coffee or as meaningful as the love of family. Every bit of thankfulness counts, touches God’s heart, and ultimately shapes our own.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Resident Strangers team!

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