We have now lived in Florida, USA, for 24 years, and naturally, we have taken on some aspects of the culture. It always surprises my American friends that Thanksgiving is not a universal holiday, and we have often been asked why not, as though the history that birthed it applies to the world!
I think this is because we innately understand the value of ‘an attitude of gratitude’, something we are at pains to teach our children with their first words. ‘Thank you’ are words of grace, and who has not had their heart warmed by them, especially when unexpected? Blessings should never be taken for granted, despite the insistent humanist mantra, ‘You deserve it…’ As children of the Lord we know, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” and we raise our hands to heaven, singing “Give thanks with a grateful heart…’
Although the charm of this holiday is that, unlike Christmas, which has been commercialized out of the manger into the stores, Thanksgiving is seen as non-commercial, a time to simply celebrate family and friends around a food-laden table. But instead of the rest of the world embracing this wonderful ideal, what HAS been universally adopted is the commercial “Black Friday” sales slam-dunk, cynically attached to Thanksgiving (in my opinion). This is the day stores aim hugely to increase the black numbers of their profits, and we, ever in search of so-called bargains, allow ourselves to be led by the nose into buying yet more ‘stuff’, not for others (what Christmas shopping is all about), but for ourselves!
Okay – rant over 😊!
Giving thanks should be as natural as breathing because every breath is a reminder that God blew his own breath into Adam, taking him from clay sculpture into warm flesh that breathed instinctively. I love the fact that when I take the time to thank God for this gift, that same life-giving wind stirs me to renewed life. And, when I say ‘Thank You’ to someone, my words are carried on my ‘out breath’ for them to breathe in, which is why expressed gratitude is so life-giving.
When I say ‘Thank you Lord’ in the pain of my trials, God responds with the wind of the Holy Spirit, stirring my soul, producing fire where there once was ash. More and more I find that old age can be one long Thanksgiving. Why? Because Best Beloved and I enjoy reminding each other of the amazing road we have walked, with the Lord and with each other. In the words of another old song, we count our blessings and are truly surprised by what the Lord has done!
With King David I say: ‘I waited patiently for the LORD…. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.’
I wish you all a wonderful day of Thanksgiving!
