A commercial that runs on radio says, “Just like its not Thanksgiving without friends and relatives.” They miss the point entirely. There is a deep delight in traditions and time with friends and family touches that deep part of us. Though that be missing our attitude daily and especially on Thanksgiving is to give thanks to God for His providential care that goes beyond circumstances.
In church circles it is easy to give thanks to God and say He is good because of the answered prayers; the eye that was healed, the car that the mechanic honestly fixed or the money that arrived the day before it was badly needed. It is difficult to give thanks in the midst of the ongoing surgeries that don’t fix the problem or the metastasizing cancer or the smaller trials that continue over time without working out as we desire.
Washington proclaimed Thanksgiving for, “the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks…” The deepest delight we have is to find joy in God who is the “Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.” Our trials will have some good in them even it it’s only drawing nearer to Christ Himself which paradoxically is the greatest good.
There will be good seasons and days of feasting. There will be darker harder seasons. Our challenge, my challenge, is to give thanks not only because I get to hang out with friends and family. My goal is to give thanks for God, for His working in character and working out dross like pride and arrogance; for His meeting my needs and for even showing me what good looks like. This Thanksgiving and in every day we choose to celebrate and render service to God for no matter what the season looks like, in Him we have fullness of joy.
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