How blessed we are to celebrate a holiday every year that focuses on thankfulness. If I could go back and listen to my past months of conversations, I’m sure there was more complaining than gratitude. More worrying than rejoicing. So thank God for the wisdom of our forefathers to designate a time where we’re reminded to give thanks.
Stop for just two minutes to appreciate all the blessings God has given: family, friends, food, furnaces, faith. I know it’s still deer season, the stores are flashing their big sales, and we’ll be in the Christmas spirit by the end of the week. But I hope we can slow down for a little while this Thursday for Thanksgiving.
The Bible reminds us that when we receive Christ as the Lord of our lives, we are “rooted” like a tree, “built up and established” like a building on a solid foundation (Colossians 2:6-7). If we have this kind of security in our souls, then we should be “abounding in thanksgiving.”
What is abounding? Well, I think of the river that runs through our Bible camp in Western Pennsylvania. When hurricane Katrina hit in the fall of 2005, the torrential rains came all the way up through Pittsburgh and the surrounding regions. Our river is usually just a creek where in the dry season there are places you have to get out and carry your canoe. But when Katrina hit, the creek overflowed its banks, and people were canoeing on the camp soccer fields! That’s what comes to mind when I think of “abounding in thanksgiving.”
Our hearts should overflow with thankfulness for all the good we’ve received. This week we have the opportunity to give thanks. Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings, see what God has done.
