O Lord, that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.
SHAKESPEARE
God, who has given us life, is worthy of our thanks. The giver of every good and perfect gift, the one who provides all that we need, the one who made us and knows all about us and yet he loves us. “O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good…”
The fact that retailers have been promoting Christmas shopping since Halloween is a source of irritation for some of us and almost obscures what at one time was the Thanksgiving Season. This is the time designated for us to be intentional in expressing our gratitude to God for all the many blessings of life that he so graciously bestows upon us.
I will praise God’s name in song
and glorify him with thanksgiving. (Psalms 69:30)
There is much going on in our world that causes frustration, fear, anger, disgust, and anxiety but there is even more for which we can be grateful. A song I remember from my childhood includes a chorus giving us a message that is most appropriate to reflect upon: “Count your many blessings, name them one by one. And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” Maybe we take the blessings of God for granted, forgetting from whom all blessings flow. Circumstances could be much different.
The tragic fury of the fires raging in California, bringing unprecedented death and destruction assaults our senses. So many suffered the loss of their homes with all the belongings, nothing left but painful memories. There are those who are coping with the loss of loved ones, others are anguishing over loved ones not accounted for as the search continues. There are also instances of miraculous rescues, lives and property spared, and many people coming to the aid of those who were required to evacuate their homes. Even in the midst of this tragedy, there is reason to give thanks.
As you gather with family and friends to share in the joys of the season, please remember those who are homeless, alone, in hospitals, incarcerated, or deployed by the military when you pray.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Psalms 100:4)
God bless you.
Eugene James
Regional Minister
