Thanksgiving traces its origins to a 1621 harvest feast shared by Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag people, but it wasn't made a national holiday until 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November a day of thanksgiving. Congress officially established the fourth Thursday of November as the legal federal holiday in 1941. (AI Overview)
Every year on Thanksgiving, I reflect on Thanksgivings past. Every year it was a huge celebration with grandparents, parents, sisters and my brother, aunts and uncles and cousins. The house was not only full of people, but the tables held a plethora of assorted meats, vegetables, fruits and desserts and the edges of the plates touched, leaving no space for one more thing! Voices allowed no room for silence. Games littered the living room floor. Picture albums were set out on the coffee tables. The smell of coffee almost covered the aroma of the turkey. My childhood was blessed.
Today there will be empty chairs at the table that represented loved ones who have gone on to meet the Lord. My house will not be as full as times past, but the presence of some family and friends will make this day festive. There will still be lots of food, laughter and conversations. Smiles, hugs, and yes, even a little indigestion. LOL
The Lord continues to bless.
During our midweek bible study, Pastor Josh Fryman reminded us of something. It's based on 1 Thessalonians 5:18. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
He also defined the difference between Gratitude and Thanksgiving. Gratitude is being thankful, but Thanksgiving is the act of giving thanks. It's our prayer expressing gratitude.
If you want to be obedient to Christ, praise Him!
If you want to know the will of God concerning you, Praise Him!
If you want to have a happy heart, Praise Him!
Our Lord is worthy to be praised...
Not just on one Thursday of the year...
But every day!
But that's just me!
"God doesn't want us to just feel gratitude, but for us to show it by giving thanks to God with our lives."
R.C. Sproul
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