Thanksgiving part 1

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

What do you have to be thankful for?

A lot of people are feeling glum going into the holiday season. Although the economy is starting to pick up, unemployment remains high. People like to invite family over for big fancy meals at this time of the year, and have lots of gifts to open when Christmas arrives. But with money as tight as it is, who can afford lavish dinners? Who can afford to travel? How can you afford the kinds of presents that you’d like to give?

I would like to suggest that the holiday season is not dependent on money. Thanksgiving is about being grateful for what we have; that attitude of appreciation should set the tone for the weeks leading up to Christmas. Instead of worrying about the things we don’t have, why don’t we celebrate the things that God has blessed us with?

A popular holiday gift is something fashionable to wear. But I wonder how many clothes and shoes you already have stashed in your closet? Are you grateful for having something warm to wear when the wind starts howling at this time of the year? Are you grateful that you have a choice of outfits to wear? Are you grateful for the washer and dryer and indoor running water that make it easy to keep your garments clean?

And let’s talk about food. Sure, it’s nice to have an expensive cut of meat on the serving platter. Sure, it’s nice to eat out at a fancy restaurant. But how grateful are you for the produce that grows in your garden? How grateful are you for the canned goods that fill your cupboards? How grateful are you for the stove and microwave that make cooking so easy?

Most importantly, how grateful are you for the relationships in your life? The closeness of family? The support of friends? The respect of coworkers? The love of Christ that forgives your mistakes, gives you peace of mind, and encourages the best from you?

My friends, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. You have much to be grateful for.