Spirit of Thanksgiving

 

The Spirit of Thanksgiving:

"Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us give a joyous shout to the rock of our salvation! Let us come before Him with thanksgiving. Let us sing Him psalms of praise" (Psalm 95:2 NLT). "Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done." (1 Chronicles 16:8 NIV)

Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, millions of Americans will gather to enjoy family, fun, food, and football. Sadly, many will minimize, if not ignore, the spiritual and historical significance of the day. To many, It will be just another day off from work and a day of self-gratification and over indulgence. Many will even refer to it as "turkey day," rather than Thanksgiving Day. And it's so easy for us, as Christians, to fall into this same mindset.

Thanksgiving Day should be a day of rejoicing and is a wonderful time for families to reunite, enjoy one another's company, and feast on the bounty which a merciful and gracious God has made and provided. However, when we see thanksgiving from God's point of view, the day takes on a whole new meaning for us. We will be reminded that thanksgiving should not be a single day, but rather a perpetual condition/attitude of the heart. It should be a day of worship and genuine gratitude toward our loving God.

The apostle Paul reminds us to be thankful at all times and in all circumstances because of our priceless relationship with Christ our Lord and our total dependence upon God in every situation. The following words by an unknown author illustrate an attitude of thanksgiving.

EVERYDAY THANKSGIVING

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings, thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf. Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind. Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are those who are bedridden. Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short, my children are so loud, thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely. Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry. Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job. Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for life.

As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, please don't forget the original gratefulness to God by early Americans who had suffered so much. Let the spirit of thanksgiving fill your heart as we celebrate one of the oldest American holidays. Happy Thanksgiving! I’ll be back with you on Monday, November 26.

Love, Jerry & Dotse