I am Thanksgiving

I Am Thanksgiving

I am Thanksgiving…I am more than annual, or even seasonal

My official day is the fourth Thursday in November.

My beauty is paralleled in the red, orange, brown and golden leaves of Autumn.

My Delightful expression is symbolized in the delicious aroma of turkey and trimmings.

My annual observance should be expressed in daily living.

I am Thanksgiving…I am rich in American tradition.

I find my beginning in the hearts of tired and tried pilgrims who risked their lives to sail the ocean

who left their family in England and other places in Europe, in most cases for ever

who lost some of their loved ones in that first year in the new world

and learned some hard but necessary lessons.

And in turn gained and gave much more than they left or lost.

I am Thanksgiving…

I am to be enjoyed, not just endured.

I am hindered by greed, pride, bitterness, and by a critical spirit.

I am unlimited by feelings

unhindered by circumstances

unbound by time,

yet I am most understood when I am practiced and experienced

I cannot be hidden

I should not be silenced

I may not be expressed often enough,

But I need not be overlooked, ignored, or forgotten

I am Thanksgiving…I am distinctly Christian

Only the True and Living God is deserving of our thanks.

How would one go about giving thanks to an idol made of wood, stone, silver, or gold?

Why would one give thanks to a deity which is as small and limited as the human mind?

What would be the point of giving thanks for good luck, blind chance, or any other superstition?

We give thanks through God’s Son, Jesus Christ!

Yes, I am Thanksgiving…I am clearly Biblical

I am actively expressed in a heart of gratitude.

I am the acid test of genuine character.

I am actively evident in the life of an obedient Christian in actions and words that help and bless.

I am aware of the Presence and Power of God’s Providential Hand in history, and today in Heaven,

in the Universe,

on planet Earth,

among the nations

in the United States

in the nation of Israel

in the Church – all those on Earth who are saved

and in your life and mine.

I am Thanksgiving…

I am expressed by love for the Lord and my neighbor.

I am accompanied by joy unspeakable and full of glory.

I am followed by the peace that passes all understanding.

I am the endurance that enables longsuffering towards difficult people.

I am the restraint of gentleness when faced with hatred.

I am reflected in the goodness of Christ like attitudes and actions.

I am to be exercised by faith, especially when I do not feel thankful.

I am the strength of Christ like meekness which the world mistakes for weakness.

I am made evident by temperance which curbs sinful, selfish actions and attitudes.

I am Thanksgiving…I should be expressed because of the things that you own.

The more I am expressed, the more reasons are found to be thankful.

The more that I am ignored or refused by someone, the less that they will realize what they really have.

I can be expressed whether one has much or little in life.

When I am expressed, one can then see that they have more than most people, usually all that they really need, and actually much more than one deserves.

I should be a reminder that what you own need not own you!

I am Thanksgiving…

I am the challenge to remember that you have a much better lot in life than some,

and to help those who have need when the genuine need arises.

I am the challenge to realize that some have much more than you,

and that rejoicing in God’s goodness to them encourages contentment for what you have;

as well as realizing what you may not need;

or even if you have it, you may not be able to handle it very well.

I am the challenge to recall a very important truth that although the grass may seem greener somewhere else, it needs mowing also!

I am Thanksgiving…

I should be expressed by the way you work.

I should be expressed by the way you love.

And I should be expressed because of the people in your life…

You should be thankful for those whom you love.

You should be even more thankful for those who love you.

You should even be thankful for your enemies…

…for they are an opportunity to love when love is not returned

…and an opportunity to pray for them though you think that they may not deserve it, but are in desperate need of it.

I am Thanksgiving…

I am a sober reminder that I am to be expressed at all times, and in all circumstances.

I am Thanksgiving…I am a sweet reminder that for the Christian

even sorrow, pain, suffering, and disappointment can be accompanied by joy, relief, learning, and reward.

Christ is in me, and I am in Him.

That I can never sin beyond His precious blood, His perfect love, or His powerful grace.

That the worst of this life is the closest thing to Hell that we will ever know.

That obedience to God and His word is a little bit of Heaven on Earth.

That the message of the gospel is a sacred trust to be given away, not a secret to be kept!

Yes, I am Thanksgiving…

Please enjoy me on my special day

but please do not limit my observance or practice to just one day!

Please remember why I exist, How I came about, from Whom I flow, and to Whom I must be expressed.

Yes, I am Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving,