I love the
idea of Thanksgiving being a verb in addition to a noun. Even in this time of economic uncertainty, I
see people sharing the human experiences, loving their families, working hard
for their employer, and doing their best to look out for their neighbors. (Example: the massive response we have seen
to flood relief efforts in our state.)
Through pain and tough times, there is laughter and kindness and
camaraderie. There is the desire to do
better, to be more appreciative of what we’ve got, to share love and to spread
joy. I thank God for this attitude of
thanks giving/thanks living.
Why do we
observe this Fall holiday each year?
Certainly not because we need an excuse for gluttony (“gobble ‘till you
waddle”) or because it signals the beginning of the Christmas season. The Thanksgiving holiday can easily
degenerate into a hollow-day if we do not know Who or why to thank. In returning to God our thanksgiving, we acknowledge
that life, food, and indeed all our blessings come from the hands of a gracious
God.
God doesn’t
need our thanksgiving, but we need to thank!
“How can I repay the Lord for all
His goodness to me?” (Psalm 116:12)
We need the annual reminder that we have been entrusted with much. We need the annual reminder that God expects
from us wisdom in allocating the bounty of this earth and compassion in caring
for others. Gratitude naturally leads to
such stewardship of life, to a thanks giving life.
Happy
Thanks Giving Everyone!
Polly
Wegner, DCE
