We are approaching Thanksgiving at amazing speed, and it seems that this year is speeding past faster than most, I want to slow us down a bit to reflect on this annual holiday. Most of us know the historical story of the Pilgrims and the Indians and how this holiday came to be. But I really am struggling with a couple of things: First, if there were no holiday, would we ever stop our lives to be thankful? And secondly, what about the second half of the word - "Giving"...how does this fit into our celebrations?
So first, we all love the national holiday...time off work, right? It also gives us an excuse to get together and even to do some things we like without having to apologize (overeat and watch football). It is a great time! Nothing wrong with this. Some families even have a tradition of going around the room and having everyone share something they are most thankful for over the past year. But what would happen if the nation decided it was no longer economically responsible to keep celebrating it and abolished the holiday? Would we protest because we demand a national holiday to recognize our thankfulness, or would we be up in arms because we lost a paid holiday from work? Think about it, and what I will say on this is, Thanksgiving needs to be more than a celebration about a day off work, that's all.
Next, what about the "Giving" part? When you think about it, giving is active, while the act of thanking can be passive - "I am thankful my team won the World Series, etc...". How do we take thanks to the next level? I believe we need to make it active and apply the giving part. Go out of your way with your thankfulness: make it a point to "show" those you are most thankful for how you feel, beyond just telling them. Offer to do things you would not normally do - around the house, for your spouse and kids, or around the office for your bosses or employees, and see what happens. Take this perspective:
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters," (Colossians 3:23 NIV)
With this Scripture in mind, here is an idea - Take whatever your "Part" in whatever you do - husband, wife, mom, dad, sister, brother, friend, employee or employer and switch it up...do MORE than is expected. Then when you are asked why, simply respond with how you wanted to show them how thankful you are for that you get to do your "part" everyday. This practical, physical act of giving thanks might have a twofold effect. First, it might shock those around you and help them to realize how truly thankful they are, but more importantly it might help change you a little on the inside into becoming an active over passive "thanker"!
So this year, continue the tradition or start a new one where each person you are with shares what he or she is most thankful for...and as for you - be the thankfulness show-off!
Might change everything, just saying...
In His Grip,
Pastor Pat
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