Giving Thanks

It’s always bothered me that much attention and preparation is given to Halloween, yet often little is given to Thanksgiving. Christmas seems to follow immediately on the heels of Halloween, without even a pause. I would like to think that’s because we have grateful hearts year-round, or that we habitually give thanks, remembering that all we have comes from the gracious, loving hand of our Father God. But somehow, I don’t think so.

In this age of entitlement, gratitude seems to be a disappearing trait. Abundance hinders the compulsion to express gratitude. Had we been among those early pilgrims back in 1621, when the hardship of winter wiped out 50% of the population, when they suffered greatly while striving to eke out an existence, and where survival was a hard-fought-for prize, perhaps we would be more grateful. We might more readily celebrate and worship with truly thankful hearts. That early Thanksgiving in America’s history was a celebration of the bountiful harvest. The three-day celebration was shared with neighboring Native American Indians who had been so helpful to the newcomers – Pilgrims and Indians feasting and sharing together.

National Thanksgiving celebrations were held in the USA at other times throughout history, such as at the end of the Revolutionary War, and after ratification of the Constitution, and after various battle-ending victories. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a National Holiday to be celebrated on the 4^th Thursday in November.

The holiday now often includes parades, football, family gatherings, and of course, food – so much food! But what about the “thanks”?  How integral is the giving of thanks to the success of the holiday?  And to whom are we thankful?

Thanks springs from a heart of gratitude. Johnson Oatman, writer of many hymn lyrics, wrote some words that can help prepare us to give thanks. His words were put to music by Edwin O. Excell and published in 1897. The chorus goes like this:

                              Count your blessings, name them one by one;
                              Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
                              Count your blessings, name them one by one;
                              Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

This Thanksgiving, however you choose to observe it, take time to give thanks. Encourage those you are with to express thanks. Consider what God has done in your life this year and let this holiday center on the greatness and goodness of God.  

Here are some ideas:

• Ask each person to share something they are thankful for.
• Have a time of prayer – giving thanks only, without asking for anything.
• Make a personal list of things you are thankful for.
• Read Scripture verses about thankfulness.

               These may help you get you started:

                             1 Chronicles 16:8-9, 34

                             Psalm 69:30

                             Psalm 95:1-7

                             Psalm 100

                             Psalm 105:1-2

                             Psalm 106:1

                             Psalm 107:1

                             Psalm 119:62

                             Psalm 147:7

                             Colossians 2:6,7

                             Colossians 4:2

                             1 Thessalonians 5:18

• Read examples of people in the Bible giving thanks. Here are just a few:

                              Jesus – Matthew 15:36 and 26:26-27

                              Anna – Luke 2:36-38

                              Samaritan – Luke 17:11-16

                              Paul – Acts 27:34-35; Philippians 1:3

                              Daniel – Daniel 6:10

                              Jonah – Jonah 2:9

So often we feel thankful but fail to give thanks! Let’s fix that.

Blessings,

Ruth

“Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!” (Revelation 7:12)