A Gift of Thankfulness
 

Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. —Hebrews 13:15

Thanksgiving is a time where many people set aside time for expressing their thankfulness, most specifically to God and family. In our country, Thanksgiving Day originated with the Pilgrims. In the midst of extremely hard times, loss, and with very little on which to survive, they still had faith and knew they were blessed. They celebrated God's blessings by sharing a meal with Native Americans who had helped them survive.

Fast forwarding to today, it seems as if people have lost the spirit of that original Thanksgiving, when we catch ourselves complaining about the toil our Thanksgiving Day will bring as far as cooking, planning, travels, and of course the weather. We criticize the food as if we were food connoisseurs that were well paid as well. It's we who are spoiled by the very blessings that should make every day a day of thanksgiving, whatever our circumstances.

Billy Graham said, "Ingratitude is a sin, just as surely as is lying or stealing or immorality or any other sin condemned by the Bible." He then quoted Romans 1:21, one of the Bible's indictments against rebellious humanity. Then Dr. Graham added, "Nothing turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and the joy of our salvation than a true spirit of thankfulness."

A grumbling mood of discontent gives way to thankfulness when we consider all God's gifts and all that we possess. Gratitude is a God-honoring attitude.  What attitude do we have this Holiday Season and every day for that matter?

After the year some of us have had, I think it is safe to say that this Thanksgiving is about getting back to basics. Here are some inspirational Thanksgiving quotes for those of you who like to make a change, meditate or simply give a toast this year. May we bless God and He will bless you as well as we close out this year with Great thanks and gratitude to our Father!

1. So once in every year we throng, upon a day apart, to praise the Lord with feast and song in thankfulness of heart.” ~ Arthur Guiterman, The First Thanksgiving

2. “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”  ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy 

3. “Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.” ~ Edward Sandford Martin

4. “Stand up, on this Thanksgiving Day, stand upon your feet.  Believe in man.  Soberly and with clear eyes, believe in your own time and place.  There is not, and there never has been a better time, or a better place to live in.” ~ Phillips Brooks

5. “O Lord that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.” ~ William Shakespeare

Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His Love endures forever and ever! Amen

Annette Golz