Give Thanks!

November 25, 2021

Give Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

For many, this is a day of gathering with family, eating a meal of family favorites, and watching some football.  There will be conversation and games as well as some naps and some afternoon walks.  It is a good day filled with gratitude and joy.

For some, however, this is a day of reflection and maybe a bit of heart-ache.  Some remember the loved one who is not at the table this year because they went to heaven a few months ago.  A few tears will be shed and maybe some heart-wrenching pangs of loneliness.  Although it is a good day, it may be filled with some moments of sadness and loneliness.

Others will be reminded they lost their job, lost their marriage, or lost their best friend.  Others will re-call they are still being defeated by an addiction, abuse, or anger out-of-control.  There may be some shame and regret or blaming and frustration.  Although it is a good day, it may be filled with some moments of shame and regret and deep hurt.

No matter what this Thanksgiving Day stirs up in you, I pray you will find some moments to give thanks to Jesus.  Even though your day might be filled with some things other than gratitude and joy and love, there have been some moments in which God has blessed you in small ways and big ways. 

Count God’s blessings one by one.  You might even want to take the time to write some of those blessings down on a piece of paper.

I am reminded of the old Gospel song titled, “Count Your Blessings” (Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1897).

“When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.”

Take time on this Thanksgiving Day to count God’s blessings one by one.  You will discover there are more blessings than you can even count.

In Psalm 40:5 we hear; “You, Lord God, have done many wonderful things, and you have planned marvelous things for us.  No one is like you!  I would never be able to tell all you have done.”

When I count God’s blessings, I learn an important lesson; I will never be able to tell all the Lord has done for me.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug