Thanksgiving and Thanksliving
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Thessalonika:“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank him because you believe in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
As we prepare for Thanksgiving again this year, we should be mindful of the Apostle Paul’s words and strive to develop an attitude of gratitude. No matter what happens, we need to recognize God’s free and undeserved love for us – what Christians call grace and what we also call AMAZING grace.
Our response to God’s amazing grace includes developing this attitude of gratitude, by giving thanks for the many and varied blessings in our lives. We are thankful for our parents who sacrificed for us and loved us; we are thankful for our spouses who continue to support and care for us; we are thankful for our children without whom life would be far less interesting and entertaining; we are thankful for our friends who accompany us on so many of life’s journeys; we are thankful for neighbors who often lend a helping hand; we are thankful for co-workers who share our burdens at work; and, we are thankful to complete strangers for the little surprises they provide along our way. Also, we express gratitude to God for the blessings we receive from our Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer: life, love, strength, humor, courage and so much more. As we are grasped by GRACE, we respond in GRATITUDE. It’s as simple and profound as that. And this is true, “no matter what happens.”
For us, this perspective on life is rooted in our Lutheran tradition. Martin Luther wrote in his explanation of the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed in his Small Catechism:
“All this he[God] does out of fatherly and divine goodness and mercy,
though I do not deserve it. Therefore, I surely ought to thank and
praise, serve and obey him. This is most certainly true.”
This week, when we pause as a nation to give thanks, may we develop a pattern to often and always make and take time to offer thanks to God as the source of all we have and are. God gives without condition, but God welcomes gratitude. This year, we are especially thankful for our neighbors and friends who stepped up while I [Jim] recuperated from hip replacement surgery. They made my recovery extra “painless.”
Thus, our attitude of gratitude can develop into a daily thanksgiving mindset. We don’t have to save it up for one day in November; we can practice Thanksliving!
Pastor Jim & Sue Miller, Trinity Lutheran, Brookville
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