Well, here we are again, another Thanksgiving season is upon us. An opportunity to be thankful for the many blessings and kindnesses we enjoy.
Thankfulness is a good thing. We are taught to say “please” and “thank-you” as part of our manners from earliest childhood - and so we should. When a person is grateful, it causes us to want to show further kindness, ungratefulness on the other hand may make us think our kindness was unappreciated and cause us to wonder if it was worthwhile. So to be thankful is certainly a good thing - show your gratitude to family, friends and strangers alike for the kindnesses shown to you.
But really this special day is set aside for another purpose - to give thanks to our Creator. Thanks to our fellow man is good, but how about giving thanks to the One who gave us all things? Some may ask, what has God ever given to me? The question may be better asked, what hasn’t God given to me? James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” I Timothy 6:17 goes on to say that, “… the living God… giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” Life, health, wealth, freedom - all are from God. Without God, we wouldn’t even be here, let alone have things to enjoy. We here in Canada have much to be thankful for. This is not to say that life is without difficulties, disappointments and sorrows, but even amidst these things we are a blessed people. Of all the people who are under-appreciated, God must surely be at the top of the list, for not only do folks forget to thank Him, there are some who refuse even to acknowledge Him and His existence, yet, still in His mercy He continues to bless them in many ways.
Speaking of thankfulness, we cannot end this post without talking of that which we ought to be the most thankful for, that is His blessed gift of salvation. II Corinthians 9:15 puts it well, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” There is no gift so great, no gift so costly, no gift so lovingly given, no gift so available as this Gift. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16, and again, “…the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. Have you received this wonderful gift? If not, receive Him by faith today. If you have already received Him, you have something to be eternally thankful for.
This Thanksgiving, determine to be a thankful person, not just at Thanksgiving, but every day. And don’t forget - be thankful to God too.