Thursday; November 23

Happy Thanksgiving! This is my favorite holiday. How can you go wrong with food, family, food, football, food, friends and … did I mention good food? It’s a good day!

While Americans have done a good job turning a historic feast into the modern festival, I think we have also done a good job of maintaining the focus of the event. I tease about it being a day of gluttony, but really it is also a day of gratitude. A lot of people will gather today and express their thanks for the blessings they have received. (Even some who may not believe in God take the time to be thankful for what they have received from “somewhere”.) Whether it is in a prayer of thanksgiving before carving the turkey or reciting blessings before diving into the mashed potatoes and gravy; most people will stop and say “thanks”.

There are several ways we can choose to express our thanks to God, but as we finish up today, I would like to borrow a thought from King David who challenged us to, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courtyards with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting and His faithfulness is to all generations.” (Psalm 100:4-5). I am sure that David didn’t speak these words as he cut another slice of pumpkin pie, but it is a great reminder on this Thanksgiving Day of how we have been blessed – and who blessed us!

Enjoy your feast … enjoy your family … enjoy your nap – they are great Thanksgiving traditions. Yet, before we set this day behind us for another year, let’s not lose sight of true meaning of giving thanks each and every day.

Think About It!

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