I Am Thankful Because…

After our appetites are quelled from way too much food, we leave the table in a stupor. A movie, a ball game, visiting and when the day is over, we know that we must return to a life that claws away our thankful spirit. When the last conversation beginning with, “Do you remember when….fades away…” and the time comes to separate, do we carry the joy of the moment into the future?

It has been a blessing to read many facebook friends’ comments tell what they are thankful for this month. Will they stop after Thanksgiving Day? Reading the sweet words of thanksgiving, I have come to enjoy a tenderness of joy for the writers.

What happens when the afterglow of thanks-giving has lost its seasoning? When the day of plenty has ended and there are just bare bones are left on the plates. What is our choice? Celebrations come to an end. How they change us in our thinking does not have to end.

From the time we could talk, my brothers and I gave thanks for each meal, beginning with the words – For all we eat, for all we wear, for all we have, we thank thee, Father. Amen. This is the prayer we taught our four little ones. As they grew older, our children’s prayers came from their hearts to their Heavenly Father. Growing up, I listened to the prayers of my father….in German. Komm, Herr Jesu, sei unser Gast, und segne was Du uns bescherret hast. Amen. … It’s this: “Come Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed.

Thanks-Living begins with Thanks-Giving. Thanks-Giving implies trust and faith in our Heavenly Father who loves us so much that He sent His Only Son, Jesus, to take our sins upon Him at the Cross. Without Jesus, there would be no reason to give thanks.

There are physical things – food and shelter and clothing to give thanks for. But if the material things are lacking, what do we include in our thanks-giving? As a child, during the years of the Great Depression, I remember asking my Dad for a penny to buy a necklace. Even at six years old, I could see the pain in his eyes when he told me, “No, I don’t have a penny to give you.” Then Dad swung me up into his arms and gave me a hug. The love of my Dad was more priceless than that necklace could ever be.

I am thankful for his teaching me what is most important. I learned that my Thanks-Living is love first of all from my Dad, and then from my Heavenly Father even when there is a ‘no’.

Joyce Kilmer’s words in song rings from my heart during this season as I watch the golden and rust-colored leaves dance in the air. “I think that I shall never see, a poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed, against the earth’s sweet flowing breast. A tree who lifts her leafy arms to pray!” Imagine a tree giving thanks to its Creator – not for a moment – but every moment of every day. Even when the covering of leaves are gone – the remaining bare arm-limbs are raised in praise to our Lord.

I am thankful for communication. Without the ability to think and speak, how would we be able to give thanks, first to God…and to each other. Without God in our lives, our words hurt and maim others for life, for they are from the heart. When our living is God-centered – our words create a blanket of love, gentleness, kindness, patience, encouragement, forgiveness and joy for the hearer.

With the love of Jesus in my heart, no matter what my first inclination, may I learn to see and hear others as Jesus sees and hears with unconditional love. I am thankful for each moment of compassion for others.

Thanks-Living is made possible by integrity, truth and honesty. Deception, lying and dishonesty have no place in Thanks-Living and defines a betrayal of our Lord.

Thanks-Living knows no boundaries of time or space. As I write, I think of our four children and their families…and give thanks for the times we were able to be together. When our hearts are entwined in a family – they become inseparable no matter how far apart they are. That is for the earthly and also the spiritual brothers and sisters. There are no barriers in the family of Christ Jesus.

When I checked Mom’s poetry book, I saw that she wrote about Thanksgiving. The last stanza says…

“Is one day a year sufficient…Thanks when Christ’s death set me free: I will love Him for salvation…Since that love included me…God’s own Spirit guides me daily…Gives me songs through the deepest night…He alone has power eternal…Leading me to heaven’s light.” Thanks, Mom! (1907-1998)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with Thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
 Colossians 4:2