As we celebrate our Thanksgiving holiday this year, many of us celebrate it very different than we have in years past. Many of us celebrate as an individual family unit rather than with our larger, extended family. Though there are many traveling across our country, many are not.
We have all been affected by a microscopic virus, whether we have been infected by it or not. Our celebrations seem to be a bit muted this year. We try to raise our hopes and attitudes. We make valiant attempts at putting on a smile and brush away our frustration. Yet, there is hope for all of us. We have reasons to be thankful.
We may experience some downs over the next few months as we continue to wade our way through the mire and muck of a pandemic. But those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior have already received a kingdom made by God. We may not see it now, but it is better than all those beautifully wrapped packages on Christmas morning waiting for us.
We have a choice to make. We can complain about being couped up and restrained from being with our extended family. Or we can give thanks to God for His rich blessings. We can choose to be miserable or be thankful and joyful. Guess which one will make us feel better.
You guessed it. When we are thankful, rather than complaining, we feel better, our attitude is better, we’re a joy to be around, and we please God. So, let’s be thankful for what we have and who we have in our life. Take stock in how you have been blessed and give thanks to God for all of it.
Though our family will not join in a large gathering today, I am thankful for a family to spend the day with. You see, I’ve spent several Thanksgiving Day’s without family. I know what it is like to spend Thanksgiving in an apartment or a house by yourself. So, I’m feeling extremely blessed during this time of restraint to have a family to be with. My heart goes out to those who do not.
I am thankful for the technology available to us. Because of it, I can continue to post messages to the members of the three churches I serve. I can provide a special video message to them. I can continue to serve them through online worship services. I can continue to host prayer request calls and pray with them. In 1918, they didn’t have these tools nor options during that pandemic.
Today, be thankful for all you have. Be thankful for the family you have. Be thankful you can use technology to reach out to one another. Most of all, give thanks to God for providing all of it. Know that He does love each one of us and He will bring us through these difficulties.
Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Marty Pressey 