by Tom Wacaster
Once again we are
approaching that one day in the year which our government leaders of a bygone
era set aside in order to emphasize thanksgiving to our Creator for His
abundant blessings. As God’s children, we realize that the giving of thanks
is not an annual, but a daily part of our lives. Perhaps it would
be good this Thanksgiving Day to include the following petition in our prayer
before sitting down to eat: “God, please grant us one more blessing…a
thankful heart.”
Permit me to share with
you two stories that have been in my files for more than 25 years. The
first of these tells about a circuit-riding preacher of a hundred years ago who
was asked to ride miles out of his way to hold services in a church known for
being tightfisted. His text was 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give
thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” The
minister preached an eloquent sermon on gratitude and stressed the need of
finding a sense of thanksgiving in every situation of life. At the close
of the service, the minister passed his wide-brimmed hat for the collection. It
came back empty. He turned it upside down, and then shook it, but nothing came
out. As the preacher began his benediction, the congregation wondered what he
could give thanks for. “Father in Heaven,” the minister prayed good naturedly,
“I thank thee for many things, but especially for getting my hat back.”
Our second story comes
out of the life of Matthew Henry, the well known Bible commentator. Mr.
Henry was a cheerful man, and reportedly of easy temperament. Once, when he
discovered a thief had stolen his purse, he turned to his diary and entered
this observation: “Let me be thankful first, because he never robbed be before;
second, because although he took my purse he did not take my life; third,
because although he took all I possessed, it was not much; and fourth, because
it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”
It is often difficult to
find a blessing in trials and tribulation. The problem that we face in
our affluent society is that we often mistake our luxuries for necessities, and
mere inconveniences as severe trials. There is a therapeutic value to
gratitude. Being grateful for the beauty of life in any and every circumstance
will help us bear the burden of the moment and lift us up to face our tomorrows
with a deeper appreciation for what we DO have, rather than fret over what we
may have lost.
Of course it is much
easier to give thanks in times of peace and prosperity. But at the same
time there is a greater danger in affluent times to forget to give
thanks. Though given as a warning to Old Testament Israel, the truth
contained in Deuteronomy 8:10-11 is fitting: “When
thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the
good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou
forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his
judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day.”
Should our Lord return
in our life time may we be of such a frame of mind that He will find us giving
thanks in any and every situation. We hope you have an enjoyable
Thanksgiving Day!