Happy Thanksgiving

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.” Psalm 100:4. This Thanksgiving, we all have so much for which to be thankful. As you look back over this year, take some time this week to give God the praise for everything He has done in your life. Think about the big ways He has worked in your life and in your family, as well as the small ways He has provided for you. First and foremost, if you are a Christ-follower, then thank Him for Jesus! Your eternity is secured by God’s grace through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross for you. God lavishes His goodness on us by providing family, food, shelter, health, church, friends, community and so much more every day. We are so blessed.

In Luke 17, there is a story about Jesus going to Jerusalem, and 10 lepers come out to ask Jesus for healing. Jesus said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” Now, you would only do this when you were healed, so they had to go in faith. In life, we are called to “walk by faith” in our journey with the Lord. The account says, “And as they went, they were cleansed.” God is always working in our lives if we will just be looking and ready to receive.

What follows is interesting – “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him…” Luke 17:15-16. Only one of those who was healed came back to thank Jesus. Gratitude flowed out of his life. I pray this is true for us. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” Luke 17:17. Wow – Jesus noticed that no one else showed up to say “Thank you.” May we be the one.

If you are a parent, then you know that you will do anything for your child. You provide food, clothes, shelter, and even presents. You would do it all even if they never said, “Thank you.” But, it is really nice when they do say “Thank you.” God is our Heavenly Father, and He will take care of His children, but it does truly mean something to Him when we stop to say “Thank you.”

I want to encourage all of us to take some time to thank God this Thanksgiving. Maybe for you, that is taking a piece of paper and writing a “Thank you” note to God. Just start, “Dear God,” or “Father,” then begin to list all the things you are thankful for this year. Maybe for you, it is having everyone go around and say what they are thankful for before you partake of the turkey and dressing. Maybe for you, it is finding time to take a walk and pray a prayer of gratitude to God. I don’t know what it is, but don’t let Thanksgiving go by without being the one to thank God. Thanksgiving is more than just one day. As disciples of Jesus, our goal is to develop an attitude of gratitude. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Being thankful is truly a mark of spiritual maturity. Our tendency is to complain. Our tendency is to be entitled. Our tendency is to move on to the next need or crisis. But being thankful grounds us in God’s faithfulness and love. Being thankful is a mark of spiritual growth in our journey.

I, personally, have so much for which to be thankful for this year. First is Jesus - Thank You, Father!, followed by my wonderful family, God’s Church at Rolling Hills, JMI, amazing friends, community and each of you. I am so blessed to do ministry with people I love and to share life with so many incredible brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope you know that I am thankful for you. Happy Thanksgiving!