Be Thankful

Sometimes we are concerned with what we do not have.  There is always that something else that we want that we think will make our lives complete.  Sometimes we forget to be thankful for what we do have. Sometimes we forget to be thankful for who we have in our lives.

We live in a society that puts so much emphasis on things.  During this season there are a myriad of TV commercials where there are beautiful, sleek, shiny white cars in drive ways with red bows on top and happy families sublimely contented that Santa has brought them the latest in automotive engineering. Throw in Black Friday and Cyber Monday and the emphasis on things is complete.

Maybe, just maybe, Madison Avenue has a misplaced focus on what we are to be thankful for.

On this Thanksgiving Day, let us be thankful for what we do have even if it is a one room apartment. Let us be thankful for whatever mode of transportation we have, even if it is not the latest model. Let us be thankful for food on the table.  Let us be thankful for the ability to work.  Let us be grateful for what God has given us.  As I have heard pastors preach, “Let’s develop an attitude of gratitude.”

But more importantly, let us be thankful for those intangibles: the love of our families and friends.  Let us be thankful for those who are kind to us, for those who smile when they meet us.  Let us be thankful for the freedoms we enjoy even though they may not be perfect. Let us be thankful for our communities where we worship.  Most importantly, let us be thankful for Him who lived, died and rose for us, Jesus Christ.  Let us be thankful for the gift of salvation, and let us show our gratitude by telling everyone how thankful we are and what God has done for us.

Let us pray: Most gracious God, in you we live and move and have our being.  We thank you for the gifts of this earth, for the food which nourishes us and for those whose work made it possible.  We thank you for those who serve the public and protect us, the police, firefighters, medical professionals, all of those serving in the armed forces at home and abroad.  We thank you for the love of our families and friends.  We thank you for the gift of Jesus, Your Son, who gave His life to make us a new creation.  May the Holy Spirit sanctify us and transform us into a thankful people.  Amen.