BY SELLO HATANG:
Thanksgiving is not only about celebrating what we have received: the doors that opened, prayers answered, battles won and blessings that found their way to us. Sometimes, thanksgiving is simply looking back at the road travelled and realising that, despite everything, we are still here.
This past weekend reminded me of the importance of giving thanks. Not in a ritualistic way, but in a way that is intentional, meaningful and deeply lived.
Life moves so quickly that we sometimes rush from one achievement to the next without pausing long enough to acknowledge the people, moments and experiences that made the journey possible. We celebrate the destination and forget those who helped us along the road.
Yet nobody arrives anywhere alone. Behind every achievement are people who carried us when we were tired, encouraged us when we doubted ourselves, prayed for us when we did not even know we needed prayer, corrected us when we were wrong and believed in us when believing in ourselves became difficult.
Some opened doors. Others simply stood beside us while we tried to open them ourselves. Never become too important, too successful or too busy to say, thank you.
There is also another side to thanksgiving that we do not speak about enough: gratitude for the difficult seasons. It is easy to give thanks for the mountaintop. It takes a different kind of maturity to appreciate the valley.
Some experiences did not feel like blessings when we were going through them. Some doors closing felt devastating. Some disappointments left us questioning ourselves. Some departures broke our hearts. Some prayers seemed to go unanswered.
But time has a way of giving us perspective. We eventually discover that some closed doors redirected us. Some disappointments strengthened us. Some failures humbled us. Some endings created space for new beginnings. And some storms revealed just how strong our foundations were.
Perhaps thanksgiving is not saying that everything that happened to us was good. It is recognising that something good can still emerge from what happened.
I always remind myself that gratitude does not deny the scars; it simply refuses to allow the scars to hide the blessings.
But thanksgiving must never end with words. If you are grateful that somebody once opened a door for you, open one for somebody else. If someone gave you a chance when your CV was not perfect, give someone else an opportunity.
If somebody mentored you, mentor another.
If someone carried you through a difficult season, become a shoulder for someone who is struggling today.
If you have been blessed with knowledge, share it. If you have influence, use it to create opportunity. If you have resources, allow some of them to reach beyond your own table.
Because the highest expression of gratitude is not what we say about our blessings, but what we do with them. That is when thanksgiving becomes more than a moment. It becomes a way of living.
As we begin this week, perhaps we should resist the temptation to focus only on what is missing. There will always be something we still want. Another goal. Another opportunity. Another mountain. Another prayer awaiting an answer.
But while looking towards what is next, do not lose sight of what is already here.
For life.
For family and friends.
For those who stayed.
For those who taught us.
For the lessons.
For the second chances.
For the ability to begin again.
For grace.
Siyabonga. Rea leboga. We give thanks.
Let us give thanks while people can still hear it. Send the message. Make the call. Say the words. Honour those who helped you become who you are.
Then take it one step further. Become the reason somebody else will one day give thanks.
Perhaps that is the greatest thanksgiving of all: not simply asking, “What have I received?” but “What can I do with what I have received?”
May our gratitude have hands. May it have feet. May it open doors, lift others and leave something behind.
Walk into this week grateful, but also determined to give someone else a reason to be grateful.
Join the movement.
#ReHataMmoho #SH
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