Thanksgiving

Or Giving Thanks

 

 

Somewhere in time, next Thursday, American celebrates Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving was declared a holiday by President Lincoln.  It was designed as a day to just stop what we normally do and give thanks.

The pilgrims the holiday was inspired by had a feast day.  They had come through a harsh winter.  Some had died, many had gone hungry.  Together with the Native Americans that preceded them to this land, they had a day to celebrate survival.  For the first time since landing in a new land, they had plenty of food to eat and they had shelters built for a place to live.  They were celebrating a better year than the one before.  They knew what many people today forget.  They knew to give thanks to God for He is the giver of all good things.

This November the radio station I listen to and a couple of friends on Facebook decided to spend November remembering something different to be thankful for each day.  When I heard about it, I thought, what a great idea.  It was a great idea, but I got busy and forgot.  Oh well, I guess it’s never too late to start.

Like the Pilgrims, I’m thankful for my health, for enough food to eat, for a home in which to live. 

I’m thankful for a job in a world where many people can’t find one.  I’m thankful for a car to take me back and forth to work.  It runs good and I don’t have to worry about it breaking down.  I’m thankful I work with nice people.  I’m thankful I’m able to work from home two days a week.  This leads me to being thankful there is a room in my house I can work out of. 

I’m thankful for family and friends.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Then I heard the words of a song which reminded me of what I am really most thankful for.  I’m thankful for Jesus.

 

This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You would lay down Your life
That I would be set free
Jesus, I sing for
All that You've done for me

 

 

Phil Wickham - This Is Amazing Grace (Official Music Video) from phil-wickham on GodTube.