Recently, my wife and I had the opportunity to deliver Thanksgiving meals in one of the poorest communities in our area. The homes we delivered to, as you’d expect, were modest. Many in obvious need of repair. We approached some front doors that had wheelchair ramps of decaying wood and splintered plywood.
These homes were occupied by people who had little. Their housing itself was provided through a government program based on very low, or no, income. We were able to deliver the meals, provide encouragement, and to pray with these folks when given the opportunity. In doing so I found something surprising.
In truth, I had expected to encounter a level of awkwardness and discomfort from folks in this position. In reality, I was projecting my own pride and arrogance on these humble people. What was the overwhelming response? Simple gratitude. As one delightful woman put it: “Some people would be embarrassed by this situation. Not me. I’m just grateful.” She continued, “look at me, I have four walls and a roof over my head. I even have running water. And now, a wonderful thanksgiving dinner to look forward to.” Her words were sobering.
Naturally, there are those who have even less than this woman. Most of us, though, who are reading this post on our computers, tablets, or phones, have much more. Yet, somehow it seems more difficult for us to find reasons to be thankful. Why do you think that is? Is it worry? Is it self-dependency? Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Mat 6:25)
Jesus was talking about pretty basic stuff. And the reality is that the crowd he was talking to was more like the woman I met in her low-income home, than many of us. They weren’t always sure where the next meal would come from. They were simple people. Living day to day. They may have actually been worried about what they would eat and wear. But Jesus said “do not worry.”
Of course, if we read on in the book of Matthew, we see that Jesus’ point is to trust in God, His provision, His care, and His love (see Mat 6). That is something that I need to be reminded of. As the book of James puts it, “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (Jms 1:17). Keeping this “attitude of gratitude”, I’d say, is a really good reason to celebrate Thanksgiving.
I’m certainly not opposed to the traditions that we, as Americans, have come to love. I don’t know if there is anyone who loves turkey and dressing more than I do. Not to mention the mashed potatoes and gravy. Sweet potatoes with marshmallows all cooked in brown sugar. I’m sure, you have your own favorites. But, as good as all those things are, they aren’t really the point.
From its beginning, Thanksgiving was intended to recognize the source of all that we have to be thankful for, God Almighty Himself. George Washington’s Thanksgiving proclamation of 1789 recommended that we be devoted to “the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.” And Abraham Lincoln indicated that God’s bounties “are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come.”
As I wrote in my prior post, “Doing God’s Will”, as Christians, we need to be thankful every day, and in every circumstance. In fact, if we aren’t giving thanks, we simply aren’t doing God’s will. Still, it definitely doesn’t hurt to set some specific time aside to be thankful. To remind us of all that God has provided for us. Honestly, if we don’t, whether by way of a National Holiday, or personal commitment, we will forget.
It is no wonder that Moses instructs the Israelites that, “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God…” (Deu 8:10-14).
People forget. It is simply our tendency. It always has been and always will be. So, my suggestion is that we take our lead from a simple woman, in a very simple home, who displayed simple gratitude. The more we take the opportunity to give thanks to God, who provides every good thing, the better we will be at being grateful.
So, on Thanksgiving, and every day, let’s have an attitude of gratitude.
Dave Foucar has a passion for teaching God’s word. His first book, “What Do I Say When Asked About Jesus?” is a conversational approach to helping people answer questions about Jesus. The book provides a layman’s perspective on personal evangelism and the basics of the Christian faith. Dave has been married for thirty-six years to the love of his life, Debbie. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters. To read more of David’s writing visit his Substack page.
Photo by Copilot
Love it! Christ Jesus maintained a perfect attitude of gratitude. He understood that God, his Father, never made anything that could cause anyone to be ungrateful, nor did He ever make a man who could know ingratitude or express it. Whenever a situation confronted Jesus that suggested something over which it was impossible to be grateful, he refused to accept such suggestion as being the truth about the situation. His attitude, “Father, I thank thee,” enabled him to look courageously upon life’s vicissitudes and to live and prove his gratitude to God.