Thanksgiving

Thanks giving. Giving thanks. The true reason for the holiday is expressed in those two words.

Do you not find this interesting--that in America, a country which has tried so hard to take Christ out of Christmas and God out of schools, a country which has turned from its Biblical foundations--that here in America, we still have a national holiday set aside to give thanks to God?

Thanksgiving. On this one day of the year set aside for giving thanks, we must pose this question: To WHOM are we giving thanks? One thing I've been thinking about lately is how unbelievers and atheists can celebrate this holiday. They may have plenty for which to be grateful, but to whom are they grateful? Do they thank their "lucky stars?" Do they just try to feel happy? This blows my mind. To celebrate a day of thanksgiving without knowing the One to whom we owe everything is one of the saddest things I can imagine.

To whom are we giving thanks? For those of us who are followers of Christ, the answer should be simple: we are giving thanks to God. But how often do we stop and sincerely give thanks to God? Oh, how often I am guilty of ungratefulness. On this day, I do take the time to give thanks. But when I compare this to God's Word, I find myself falling woefully short:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (I Timothy 5:16-18 ESV)

This verse doesn't say "give thanks only on November 22," or "give thanks only when everything goes your way." NO! Rather, we are to "give thanks in all circumstances." We are to give thanks when we don't feel like it, give thanks when we don't understand, give thanks when it seems like our lives are falling apart.

Wait! How on earth can we do this? I don't know about you, but I know I can't sincerely give thanks when someone I love is critically injured, or when I am really disappointed, or when I don't understand why things are happening, or when it seems like my life is falling apart. Nope, I am completely unable to give thanks in all circumstances. But it really doesn't matter that I can't do it. Why? Because Christ can do it in me!

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(I Corinthians 12:9 ESV)

Yesterday I did not have English class, but I still had two assignments due. Picture this:

The weather is sunny, warm and bright, birds are singing, and my spirits are high as I walk to the library to complete my homework. I don't check the weather or bring a jacket. Mistake number one.

fast-forward one hour

In the library, I am getting slightly frustrated with complicated grammar terminology. Nevertheless, I'm getting through the assignments.

fast-forward one hour

I've come to the end of the test and have proceeded to the second writing assignment. Since the genre is creative writing and the only requirement is that the paper must contain twelve perfect parts of verbs, I decide to write it in poetry. Mistake number two.

fast-forward one hour

I have written a six-hundred word poem about an English mouse named Miss Priscilla. I count the verbs and realize I need to add six more. I also notice that I've used the same one four times. Mistake number three. I ask a friend from class if this is okay and find out that the assignment was to use twelve different parts of verbs. Choice: rewrite existing poem or add new stanzas incorporating the verbs. It seems easier to write more.

fast-forward thirty-five minutes

Still in the library, I'm agonizing over how to include the last two verbs. I'm freezing, my ears feel like they've been stuffed with sawdust, my throat feels like sandpaper, and I can't think of another relevant rhyme. Finally, I think of something doable and write it quickly, go to the print lab and print, staple, and turn it in to my teacher.

I start to walk home and find that it rained while I was in the library, the temperature has dropped drastically, and there is a chill wind whipping up. Shivery in my short-sleeved cotton shirt, I plod home despondently, wishing for hot lunch and a warm blanket. I remember all my good intentions and plans to be "truly thankful," and I pessimistically decide that they didn't and probably won't happen.

Frustrated, I jump over a puddle. Suddenly, the Lord brings this verse to mind: "give thanks in all circumstances..." I'm upset, and almost positive that I can't be thankful about anything in this situation. I feel sick, struggled for hours over a wretched poem I wish I'd never written, and feel like I'll starve and freeze by the time I get home. I ask God for help, and reason to myself that He wouldn't have commanded me to be thankful unless He was ready to help me do it. So, together, we find things for which to be thankful. I can be thankful that I am finally finished with the assignment. Thankful that I have this opportunity to learn, that I'm not wearing flip flops, that I don't have more assignments on Friday, and that I am finally headed home..just to name a few.

By the grace of God and in Him alone, I was able to give thanks for the many blessings which He has bestowed upon me. One thing God has been teaching me lately is this: God calls us to do things that we are completely unable to do. But He is ready and waiting to do the difficult tasks through us unto His glory, if we will surrender, obey, and become a willing vessel and a tool in His hand. Yesterday afternoon, He was thankful through me. I hope and pray that I will continue to learn what it means to "give thanks in all circumstances," and that God would work a spirit of continuous gratefulness into my heart.

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!

Sing to him; sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!

Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!

Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles and the judgments he uttered...

Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Tell of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and he is to be held in awe above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his place.

Ascribe to the Lord, O clans of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness...

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

from 1 Chronicles 16 (ESV)