Truly Thankful

In the United States, the holiday we celebrate on the fourth Thursday in November is probably my favorite holiday of the year. I know that as a Christian I ought to favor Christmas and Easter but I think I have grown to prefer our holiday of Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong, I love to remember the birth and resurrection of Jesus. And believe me, I'm certainly thankful for what those days represent. But Thanksgiving is a holiday where everyone can celebrate with the same guideline of being thankful!

At Thanksgiving, there are no groups trying to ban the display of turkeys from government property and there are no courts creating laws which forbid the teaching of the first Thanksgiving in our public schools. No one is forbidden from making speeches about thankfulness and there is no movement to change "Happy Thanksgiving" to "Good Fall Feast." We are free to encourage one another to be thankful and consider the "blessings" of our life. Granted, most do not know the God from whom all blessings flow and therefore don't know who to thank, but there remains a purity in Thanksgiving which has somewhat disappeared from other holidays.

Psalm 86:11-12
"Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever."

I long for the day when my heart is not divided, for the time when I am able to praise with ALL my heart. No matter how long I walk His path, distractions tug and occupy portions of my life which ought to be reserved for God alone. I guess that's why I appreciate a day which causes me to refocus and remember...and to be thankful.

This Thanksgiving I was reminded of an extra special blessing. All of my children are home this week, including two grand-babies. Tuesday evening we had a campfire in the backyard and all sat up singing praise songs. All five kids lifting their voices in praise to an awesome God. It was one of those moments I think I'll remember for many years.

So as I finish writing this message in the comfort of my home with my entire family safely asleep in their warm beds, I want to say a special thank you to my good friend, Dr. Joe, who is spending this holiday away from his family in the desert on the other side of the world. I thank you for reminding me that the scenery of central Texas is not as bad as I think. I pray for your safe return, and for those who serve by your side.

I know that for most in the world, today is just a regular day. But perhaps we could all spend a little extra time on this regular, ordinary day to consider things - preferably specific things - for which we can praise God with ALL our heart and be truly thankful.

After reading the First Thanksgiving Proclamation dated June 20, 1676, I believe Thanksgiving is a day of offering thanks unto God and should be a day of reverence. It was intended as such, and we should honor it.