ALT-4 Taking Time to Give thanks
I can remember my mother getting up before the crack of dawn to prepare the turkey for the oven. Then she started chopping onions and celery for the dressing. We always had to have two batches of dressing, one with oysters, and one without. The pies were baked the night before, so they were out of the way.
It was an awesome sight when the table was set, and the turkey was presented for my father to carve. Red cranberries, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, and hot rolls. What more could a person ask for? After everyone gathers around the table, and we all say what we've been thankful for over the last year, the blessing is said, and God has been wonderfully praised.
That's what should happen in every home in the world. However, some don't see thanksgiving as a day in which to thank God for His great abundance. Some have the attitude that they worked for it, why thank God? Some don't think about it at all. They just fix it, sit down and proceed to eat.
Thanksgiving is but one day out of every year. Some are thankful, some are not. What they need to realize is this. If we only thank God one day a year, why then, should God answer more than one prayer a year? Giving thanks is an every day thing. Three hundred and sixty five days. Not just one day a year. God has more than provided everything we need to live, and to be thankful for. Does He not deserve to be thanked?
I was watching the news out of Denver Colorado last night. I was amazed how many people came out to feed the homeless. It was such a wonderful sight to watch. One family had felt so blessed by some who had helped them the year before, they set out to fill their new home with people with no family around. They, with the help from some organizations, served a feast.
I have never seen such a turn out in Denver in all of my years in Colorado. So many organizations pitching in to feed hundreds. Some families sat down and partook of the meal with them. Instead of fixing a meal at home, they chose to share their day of thanks. It did my heart good to watch this.
We need to take time everyday of our lives to give thanks for our many blessings. Taking life for granted will not give you any satisfaction. We need to get up with an attitude of thanksgiving. We need to pray before we walk out of our doors in the morning. We need to give thanks for every day we made it through.
Life can be so uncertain. There are no guarantees as to what lies ahead as you head down the road. Include God in your everyday life, and you'll never walk alone. In everything, give Him thanks, for this is the will of God, in Christ Jesus concerning you.
