Thankful?… of course!
We have come to the week of Thanksgiving. The holiday that is sandwiched between candy to the left and reindeer to the right. Festive, fall decor is eaten alive by the scary, monsters of Halloween, while anticipation and excitement for turkey are minuscule compared to the hype train that leaves the station on November 1st for Christmas.
We gather with friends and family.
We eat.
Some will watch football.
Then we go back to our homes and carefully set our clocks for the real event… Black Friday Shopping.
Are we thankful? Sure! Just ask. Anyone will tell you they are thankful for something. Family, good health, a job… but do we express this properly over ham and green bean casserole? More importantly, are we living from a place of gratitude throughout the year, and not just on the last Thursday in November? If we are honest, it may be glossed over in our lives, just as quickly as Hobby Lobby moves from hues of yellow and orange to red and green in their stores.
As you probably remember from elementary school, the first Thanksgiving originated in 1621, to celebrate and give thanks to God for a bountiful harvest that would prayerfully sustain the pilgrim settlers through the harsh, upcoming winter months.
The Native Americans had taught the men of Plymouth to plant corn and other crops, hunt local wildlife and fish the ocean and rivers. When your survival hangs on a thread, gratitude looks slightly different than just happiness over having a paid day off from work.
Fun fact, that you may or may not know- Thanksgiving did not become an annual holiday after this first celebration. It wasn’t until Abraham Lincoln, in 1863, declared a day of national thanksgiving, which began the tradition we know today. I find it interesting, that the American people had to have a declared day, so we could stop and be reminded of how blessed we are as a nation, but this just helps prove my point.
Gratitude does not come naturally for the human heart. Most of us are bent toward selfish desires, and grumble when we do not get what we want, when we want it. We are easily agitated with disruptions to our schedules, aggravated by long lines at the grocery store and let’s not talk about the road rage.
Something to Practice
There are multiple scriptures that discuss the topic of gratitude and giving thanks. The book of Psalms is jam packed with reminders to offer praise and thanksgiving to our God, and that is just the beginning. Why, you ask, is there so much talk in the Bible on this subject? Because we are a forgetful people.
Again, our natural tendency is to look inward and focus on ourselves. Gratitude demands outward reflection. It must be practiced often, in order to break away from our selfish desires, and move into a space where we are free enough to lift our heads, look around, and notice the goodness surrounding us.
“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.” (2 Timothy 3:1-2)
In Paul’s wisdom to Timothy, he revealed as the days tarry, and the time of Christ’s return draws near, people will increasingly grow dark and evil. Two of the characteristics he points out are “lovers of self” and “ungratefulness”. Those who walk in the flesh, will gratify fleshly desires, which leads to death. (Romans 8:13) Thinking of others, paying attention to all the good gifts- it’s not something we do on our own accord.
In order to be lead by the Holy Spirit, we must die daily and crucify the flesh if we want to truly walk with a heart full of thanksgiving for what we have been given. So, what could this possibly look like in your life in a practical sense?
Thank God every day for something. From waking you up so you have another opportunity on this earth to share the gospel, to the food you eat, there is always something to thank the Father for. What has He blessed you with lately? If you are a son or daughter, because you accepted His free gift of salvation, that alone should be enough to sing praise and thanksgiving for the rest of your days. Make it a habit to say, “Thank You God for “blank””, in your daily prayers.
Ask the Father for help. There is no shame in asking the Lord to help you with your attitude and how you see things. As I have said previously, we are born selfish creatures who lack the desire to think about or care for much, other than ourselves. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the strength to kill those selfish tendencies, so you can begin to breathe in the fresh air of gratitude. Our flesh is weak, so tap into the supernatural power the Holy Spirit offers.
Look around and pay attention to the little things. Most children are taught to say “thank you” when they receive a gift from someone. This is wonderful and needed, as we should feel blessed by someone giving us a present, but what about all the “presents” that do not come wrapped in paper and bows? A clear, beautiful fall day, with the sound of rustling leaves as your background music, is something to be thankful for. Food on our table for every meal, strength to perform a job to provide for our families, or the sound of laughter coming down the hall as the kids play, are all little things that are incredible gifts to us. There are so many more good gifts you can find in your life. Don’t forget about the glorious day to day joys we are given, no matter how small.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. A saying I am sure you are familiar with, but words to be revisited for sure. We all have bad days. Maybe sleep schedules are off, kiddos are sick at home, work is crazy and frantic, or the dog just chewed up your favorite part of kitten heels. Whatever chaos looks like for you, stop and try to find a reason to smile and appreciate the mess. Lines too long at the grocery store? Thank You God I live in a land where I can get food anytime I want. Traffic driving you crazy? Praise You Jesus I am blessed with a car to travel where I need to go. Change your perspective a little, and you will be amazed how your mood will shift with it.
Tomorrow, most will gather around tables with family and friends, some they have not seen in a long time. Others will not be so fortunate, as they huddle in side alleys and under bridges… be thankful.
There will be many who will have empty chairs for the first time this year, and it will be a reminder of those whom they have lost. Be thankful for the faces that remain and hung them tighter.
Jesus Christ stepped down from His throne in glory, put on human flesh and lived for 33 years among us. He willing took the cross upon His shoulders, dying in our place. He bore the punishment for our sins. He accepted the wrath of the Father, so we don’t have to and saved us from Hell and death. He made a way for us to be made new, whole and redeemed, all we have to do is repent of our sin, accept His free gift and surrender our lives to Him.
Be Thankful…
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, emphasis added)