"In Everything Give Thanks"

It is the day before Thanksgiving.  This time of year is very special to me. I love Thanksgiving Day.  Tomorrow we will have 20 people in our home. My sister, her children, and grandchildren will join my family as we have our first major holiday since our Dad passed away.  I am sure that the moment food is served will be somewhat bittersweet.  We have a tradition that the oldest person there goes through the line first.  Dad’s absence will be felt at that time.

            But I also know that we will overeat, tell stories, laugh and have a good time together.  I’m sure the children (there will be seven of them between the ages of one and twelve) will provide plenty of entertainment.  We may watch a ballgame, go down to the dock, or just sit and reminisce. 

            But I am sure of this one thing. We will give thanks.  First we will give thanks to the Lord for His grace shown to us in so many ways. We will give thanks for our family. We will give thanks for memories.

            There’s an old gospel song in most of our church hymnals entitled, “Count Your Blessings.”  What great advice!  “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God has done.” Have you stopped lately to count your blessings? Even in the midst of trials and troubles, God is good. 

            Paul wrote, “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Notice that he did not write, “For everything give thanks,” but, “in everything.” There is a difference. There are things that trouble us. There are things we are trying to overcome. We aren’t thankful for these things.

            But in the midst of them we can still be thankful. Those who are thankful are the happiest people I know.  And attitude of gratitude makes all the difference in the world. I challenge you. Be thankful. Remember that God is good.  You’ll be glad that you did.