Developing a Heart for Thanksgiving

By Lonetta McKee

What a glorious time of year this is. As the earth abandons its summer wardrobe and dons the vibrant colors of fall, it seems like everywhere you look you see God’s handiwork.

We witness this transition in many ways. The first bite into a crisp autumn apple with the sweet juice penetrating our palette.  Leaves adorned with their vivid autumn hues dancing to the rhythm of the wind. Smoke lazily circling into the sky from a fireplace chimney indicating the coolness of a fall evening. The fragrance emitted from an autumn shower. And let us not forget the intoxicating aroma of cinnamon coming from the pumpkin pie baking in the oven as we near the fourth Thursday in November.

All of these are conducive to providing the perfect framework of preparation for entering this holiday month with the utmost spirit of thankfulness. It brings to mind the old hymn that says, “For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, Christ our Lord to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.” Even in regions where seasonal change is not quite as perceptibly apparent many of the same experiences are enjoyed. There is still a shift permeating the air.

For some Americans the definition of Thanksgiving begins and ends with the gathering of family and friends, enjoying a delicious feast, and watching football. Of course these things hold special meaning, create great memories, and bring us all immense pleasure. For many however this is the ultimate significance of the day. Thanksgiving slips easily off their tongue, holding no more special meaning than the simple designation of a holiday not unlike Labor Day or Memorial Day.

For the Christian, Thanksgiving holds a much richer and deeper meaning penetrating far beyond one day and extending beyond a 24-hour reflection. Of course thankfulness should be a part of our daily lives. But as we look forward to celebrating the day set aside for centering our thoughts on this topic, let us take time for intensive, quiet contemplation throughout the entire month.

As a parenthetical note, have you ever noticed what a transforming elixir it is when we adopt a posture of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord instead of fixating on problems and difficulties? How powerful it is when we choose thankful prayer over wallowing in anxiety and worry.

It would probably surprise many of us if we were to take time to consider how many things in the course of a normal day are cause for giving thanks. Sometimes our thankfulness tends to focus on more obvious things such as good health, good jobs, loving family, good friends, freedom, a secure place to call home. These definitely should engender a disposition of appreciation and gratefulness. But what about the more simple joys of life that we sometimes take for granted such as a comfortable bed with clean sheets, being able to get up out of that bed in the morning, the first cup of steaming hot coffee, nutritious food, hot water, sunrises and sunsets, being able to take a walk.

In addition, as children of God we enjoy many special blessings motivating thankfulness that the world does not begin to understand. To name just a few: salvation; forgiveness of all our transgressions; being privileged to address a merciful God without fear as we come before the Throne of Grace; the continual guidance of the Holy Spirit; a body of like believers with whom we can worship, pray together, share with one another; the promise of eternal life.

The Bible is replete with verses that speak to the topic of thanksgiving and it is referred to repeatedly. In fact the words thanks, thankful, and thanksgiving appear an estimated 150 times depending on the translation.

David in particular is prolific in his admonitions to give thanks to the Lord.

In Psalm 100:4 David advises us “…give thanks to him and praise His name.”

Psalm 106:1 tells us, “Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;”

Again in Psalm 95:2 we read, “Let us come before him with

thanksgiving…”

Turning to the New Testament Paul writes in Ephesians 5:20, “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything…” It is note worthy that he says for everything, thereby including the more ordinary as well as those that are more outstanding.

In I Corinthians 15:57 Paul penned the words, “But thanks be to God!! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Here he specifically states what we are to thank God for: victory in our lives achieved through Jesus. What wonderful words of reassurance.

Suffice it to say these passages make it very clear the Lord wants his people to be cognizant of his blessings and to express that awareness. The outcome is that a thankful mindset generates an abiding attitude of gratitude. Let us make every day in this month Thanksgiving Day, as we count our blessings and name them one by one.

Lonetta McKee is a Christian writer living in Los Angeles, Calif. She blogs at “Living Before God’s Face” (livingbeforegodsface.com).