I was thinking last evening about the three prominent holidays for believers in the US. They seem to be Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. Of all of these, only Thanksgiving is all about our hearts. At Christmas we can mask feelings with shopping and social gatherings, Easter brings its own distractions with egg hunts and new outfits for the family and trying to squeeze into an already crowded church service. But Thanksgiving stands alone in its emphasis. While there may certainly be a larger meal that day than normal, the food is not the focus. It is the only holiday that simply asks that we remember how good God is. There are no gifts or social events to cloud the examination of our hearts.
I applaud the new tradition of taking each day of November to reflect on one thing you are grateful for. But as I rejoice in that, I think about the FATHER’S desire that I awaken every day with a song of thanksgiving in my heart. Not just one day or one month, but every day my heart would overflow with gratitude for HIS goodness.
Yes, there is much going on in every life that causes stress. But when we look around at the power of HIS grace over our lives and HIS great protection and provision for each of us, thanksgiving should flow as freely as water.
As the scripture state, “O come and magnify the LORD with me”.
Hope to see you in a tea room soon,
Elizabeth