It is time to celebrate Thanksgiving again, and I’ve been thinking.
I wonder how many people are thankful to God on Thanksgiving? I remember when I was growing up how much fun Thanksgiving was. All of our family would get together at my folks house and we would have a feast. My mom would cook for a couple of days ahead getting food ready.We would have turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, winter squash, baked beans, homemade pickles, cranberry sauce, olives, and for desert pies and homemade banana bread. (It makes me hungry just thinking about it.)
The men usually would go out hunting for deer in the morning and then when they came in for dinner would be really hungry and would share stories of the deer they saw but couldn’t get a shot at. I used to love to hear all the hunting stories.
I recall the guys would actually make gluttons of themselves having contests to see who could eat the most.
Those are fond memories of family as we celebrated together. But, you know what, I think we were thankful for all the wonderful food we had, but I can never remember that we ever prayed before we feasted or gave thanks to God for anything. Now, that strikes me as sad.
After becoming a Christian I realized that God is the one who provides.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:19)
Yes, we can be thankful that we have a good job, that our family is healthy, that we have enough money. We can be thankful for almost anything but God needs to be the object of our gratitude. God has enabled us to work, to have a job, to make money. He is the source of everything we have.
In Matthew 6:25-34 God tells us that we are more important than the birds and the flowers, and He provides for them. He also tells us not to worry. Instead we need to be thankful for how He has provided for us by seeking Him and He will take care of us.
I had an email from a new Christian recently. She can’t wait for Thanksgiving this year and said she has a new thankfulness now that she is closer to God. She will look at the day in a new way this time. Isn’t that great?
I pray each of you will be thankful this Thanksgiving holiday and that your gratitude will be directed toward God.
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