Thanksgiving, Easy and not so Easy

Thanksgiving - that would seem like an easy enough thing to do at least once a year if not every day. Here in the United States we are loaded with material blessings even in these hard economic times. I'm sure there are many Americans who are truly poor but that doesn't describe the majority of us. Still when we get close to Thanksgiving there are a number of us who are dealing with things like the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, a devastating medical diagnosis, or a serious falling out with either a relative or a once close friend. None of these things can be fixed over night and somethings can never be fixed.

What if you don't have any overwhelmingly negative issues in your life. When someone asks you what are you thankful for a long list of things and people pours from your lips. You suddenly remember the friend who is dealing with the kind of news that could make you question everything you thought you believed. You stop speaking, acutely aware of your sense of guilt over what seems like your great wealth of blessings compared to your friend. Do you believe in a different God? Have you done something to make Him smile on you and not your friend? Then you remember other days when you have been the one who thanks God, hesitantly but very intentionally for your blessings. Your list does not flow out of grateful exuberance but out of an abiding faith in the provider of all blessings. You still hurt inside but you know the only sensible thing is to look to the healer of all hurts.

Back to the list of things I am thankful for. Let's see - my country - my husband's in spite of and because of love he has for me - my extended family - friendships, recent ones and the ones that have stood the test of time - technology that I can use at least in a minor way. This is a short list and that doesn't include the most important. No matter what the immediate circumstances of my life my list had better start with God who through Christ has provided me with all things. I would have no life, no list, no love without Him. My list will change every year as I give thanks, but God's character, His love, His willingness to provide never changes. I can give thanks in all circumstances because of God's indescribable gift in Christ.

Be joyful; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.   I Thess. 5:16-18
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.  II Cor.9:15

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