There are different kinds of reminders we all need at different points in our lives. Oftentimes, those reminders - if they are to be effective - must be properly situated in relevant circumstances. That is, whatever we're being reminded about must be connected in some way to our immediate and/or broad circumstances. Otherwise, they may not be very meaningful or helpful. There are roughly four things that I think all of us might need some reminding about. Some of them are not very pleasant, and not all will directly apply to you right now.

First, let's do a self-check on gratitude. Do you ever tell anyone "thank you" in a genuine way? Whether it's the mailman dropping off your mail at your house, the kind lady at the grocery store who bags your groceries, the caring waitress who consistently checks on you to ensure your service is satisfying, and so on, do you thank them? Do you ever thank your family - assuming you have a good relationship with them - for giving you a home? Do you let your friends know that you appreciate them and back it up with some action on your part? Otherwise, it might end up being just words.

Do you have a list of things you are thankful for? I would encourage you to write down and categorize the different things you appreciate and repeat them on a regular basis. Repeatedly offering thanksgiving for specific things - not just general things - is part of cultivating gratitude in the soul. Yes, I'm getting a little philosophical here but bear with me, for Pete's sake! Write down what you appreciate about God, your local church - if you have one - your family, closest friends, job, school, food, and so on. It's a good practice.

Second, I have a reality check for those who whine and complain regularly: you sometimes come off as spoiled and ungrateful for the things you have. Do you think everyone in the universe exists merely to make you feel good? Do you think you have no responsibilities to others on how you treat them? For the record, you didn't earn everything you have. If you had a home growing up, you didn't earn that. It was given to you. You had a right to a loving family and home, but you certainly did not earn it. We all can get agitated over little things sometimes. I get it. But if you find yourself struggling to recall a single time thanking someone, and you primarily complain about small, trivial stuff, you need to take a good look in the mirror.

Third, always remember and reach out to those who will be alone on Thanksgiving Day without family or anyone. There are people who were unjustly tossed from their homes and live on the streets feeling nobody cares about them. There are military service members who are deployed overseas and who won't get to be with family on that day. There are families who have lost family members in the line of duty as a police officer, fireman, or soldier who will be missing that special someone around this time of the year. Remember them, pray for them, and - based on your ability - reach out to them and love on them any way you can.

Lastly, for those who feel you are at the bottom of the barrel and that nobody cares about you, I have two things to say. First, please forgive me and everyone else who were too distracted to care about you and minister to your needs. I also ask for forgiveness on behalf of the Church - the Body of Christ - when she has failed to exemplify compassion and warmth and love to those who suffer and who feel isolated on Thanksgiving. My last thing to say is this: I care about you. I love you. Above all, Jesus Christ loves you too.