Give Thanks!

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that through his poverty you become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV Bible)

This design has the colors traditionally associated with our annual Thanksgiving Day, and the colors are bright, flowing, and uplifting. Yes, this is a Thanksgiving design, but it is not only for the Thanksgiving holiday season, but for all year long; giving thanks to the Lord each and everyday of the year!

I really like to sing the song, “Give Thanks.” In fact, as I prepared this design, I found myself singing the song! Written originally by Henry Smith, and published in 1986 by Integrity Music, and recorded on the album, Heal Our Land in 1989, it has since been recorded and played many times around the world. The words of the song are so appropriate for our Thanksgiving time. “Give thanks with a grateful heart; give thanks to the holy one; give thanks for he’s given Jesus Christ, His son. And now, let the weak say I am strong, let the poor say I am rich, because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks!” Suggestion. You just might want to hold hands around your Thanksgiving table and sing this song followed by a prayer of thanks to your Lord and Savior. Just a thought.

Want some good reading material over the holiday? Read the Psalms. And since it is Thanksgiving, start with Psalm 100:4-5; “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” I’m thankful that we have a national day of thanksgiving, but I surely hope that we take time to give thanks more than just this one day each year. And, I pray that we place our focus on giving thanks to the Lord more than we do on all the food placed on the table. In fact, why not, before eating, have each person at the table share what he/she is most thankful for this year? And one more idea. After the meal is complete, and you offer a closing prayer, why not have each person carry their plates to the kitchen and all pitch in and help with the clean up? Oh, one last thing. In the marketplace, when someone says, “Happy Thanksgiving,” why not respond to them with this: “Thanks Be To God!” Just a thought.