Thanks-Givers!

Let’s come before Him with thanks. Psalms 95:2

Thanksgiving is only a few short days away, and grocery stores are packed with all of us who are preparing a feast for this special day! Turkeys across the nation have given their lives so that we may celebrate the tradition of setting this day aside to officially give Thanks to our God for all the blessings we have enjoyed this past year. We should be a nation of Thanks-givers on this day!

We all know that our Thanksgiving of today is based upon the observance of the Pilgrims back in 1621. Their faith in God was a major factor in those days, and our faith in God has brought this country through some perilous times. The direction we go from here forward is going to be based on our continued faith in God or our lack of faith in HIm.

The observance of Thanksgiving as a day of gratitude and prayer has been a national holiday since George Washington was President. Unfortunately, many in our country today have chosen to be unthankful to God and rather look to themselves for answers and guidance.

The phrase thanks givers is defined simply as “one who gives thanks.” This is such a simple definition, but it is something that is sometimes so hard to remember to do. There are people in all of our individual lives who seem to always be positive, always look for the silver lining in situations, and always give thanks to God no matter the situation. These folks are always trying to do good for others while giving God all the credit. I like to call these folks thanks-givers.

It is easy to become ungrateful when circumstances don’t look good, when sickness or adversity hits home, or when sacrifices are required. Thanks-givers know that God can turn bad circumstances into blessings. Gratitude isn’t a natural response to adversity, it is a discipline we develop.

In the classic Little Wome, Mrs. March tells this story to her daughters. “Once upon a time there were four girls who had enough to eat, and drink and wear, a good many comforts and pleasures, kind friends and parents, yet they were not contented. These girls made many excellent resolutions, but they were constantly saying, ‘If we only had this or if we could only do that.’ So, they asked an old woman what spell they could use to make them happy and grateful, and she said, ‘When you feel discontented look back over your blessings and be grateful.’ The girls decided to take her advice, and soon they were surprised to see how well off they were. One discovered that money couldn’t keep shame and sorrow out of rich people’s houses; another found that she was a great deal happier with her health, youth, and good spirits than a certain fretful, feeble old lady who couldn’t enjoy her comforts; a third that as disagreeable as it was to help make dinner, it was harder still to have to go begging for it. In the end, they all agreed to stop complaining and enjoy the blessings they already possessed.” They learned to be thanks-givers.

Once we become thanks-givers, we are eager to help others and pass on the joy of giving. Shortly before his death, 80 year old farmer Hody Childress asked his daughter to continue a practice he’d quietly conducted for years. The practice was taking a $100 bill to a local pharmacist on the first of every month. Childress anonymously came to the aid of neighbors in Geraldine, Alabama who couldn’t afford medications. “Don’t tell a soul where the money came from, ” he instructed the store owner. If they ask, just tell them it’s a blessing from the Lord.” Thanks to his generosity, that pharmacy could fill presciptions for about 24 uninsured or underinsured people each month. After his death, his generosity became known, and because of him, others stepped up to continue to help those in need.

This year as we go about our business of celebrating on Thanksgiving Day, when we sit down for our Thanksgiving meal surrounded by family and friends, let’s not forget to offer up our gratitude and thanks to our Lord for all that He has done and continues to do for us. Be thanks-givers on this this day and every day!

Happy Thanksgiving!