The habit of Thanksgiving
Whenever I ride the bus in Prince George I enjoy the chorus of thank-yous as passengers disembark. It is one small sign that gratitude is not dead in our city. As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day this year, let us make thanksgiving a habit.
Many cultures celebrate thanksgiving through a harvest festival. The American pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving after their first harvest in the new world. In many countries Thanksgiving coincides with the fall harvest. Though most of us no longer live in farming country, there is still something very satisfying about stuffing ourselves with turkey and a bountiful supply of fresh fruits and vegetables, topped off with pumpkin or apple pie.
Yet in North America it is easy to take prosperity for granted when our grocery stores are crammed with a dazzling array of fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, canned or frozen foods, fancy desserts and treats. Let us use this Thanksgiving to express our gratitude for the bounty we enjoy, not just in food, but in clothing and shelter, safety and security, and the love of family and friends. And let us look up to give thanks to the One who has so graciously filled our needs, in the words of the psalmist, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
It is harder to give thanks when circumstances turn sour. In spite of the prosperity of our society, many don’t enjoy the benefits others take for granted. It can be a struggle to survive one day at a time. Others face tragedies of poor health, broken family relationships, loss of employment or death of a loved one.
To “give thanks in all circumstances,” to be joyful even in trials, does not come automatically. Even in the worst circumstances we can find things for which to give thanks – the smile of a stranger, an act of kindness, the beauty of fall flowers or a sunset, or words of comfort or encouragement from a family member. We can learn even in the midst of pain and chaos to find that the Lord is good and his love endures forever, and still give thanks.
Thanksgiving is a good time to begin the habit of daily gratitude. This is choice. We can look at what we do not have and grumble; we can focus on our pain and distress and complain; we can look at what others have and feel sorry for ourselves. Or we can reflect on blessings we enjoy, love we experience from friends, and above all the many blessings we have experienced from the hand of God.
The apostle Paul says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty may become rich… Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
When we realize the extent of God’s love, we can be truly thankful every day, and become generous towards others.