Thought for the Week

We are preparing to celebrate “Thanksgiving Day.” For us in this country it is a federal holiday. Opportunity is given to most of us to enjoy it as a holiday with family and or friends. We spend it in whatever way we can. For some, there is much we can enjoy. Unfortunately, not for all. Some will be alone, some will have recently experienced loss, sickness, or some other thing that overshadows the celebration. For some, I wonder about the details. Some folks claim to be atheists (do not believe God exists) or agnostics (do not believe we can know if there is a God.) Most of us give thanks to God. But for atheists and agnostics, to whom do they give thanks? Of course it is a good idea to give thanks to the one who cooks and serves your meal, or to the one who provides some blessing that pleases you. We can thank many people, for daily many people do things we need, or want, or enjoy. Most of us have had parents or guardians who encouraged us to say “Thank You” when someone did something for us or gave us a gift. We address them and offer our words of thanksgiving. But what about the atheist or the agnostic? Is there someone who deserves thanks for things like the air we breathe, the water we drink, the forces of nature that make life possible, the ability to provide for ourselves and our loved ones, freedom to enjoy blessings without number and even freedom itself? I consider these and many other things, “Gifts from God”. I believe it is my responsibility to thank God for these blessings. Those who have gone on before me have set an example and urged me to give thanks to God for all the blessings I have received. In his letter, James reminds us every good and every perfect gift comes from above and is from the Father… I believe the ‘attitude of gratitude’ makes the things we receive more enjoyable. Showing appreciation gives the giver pleasure as well. In addition, how we receive and treat the gift we have received says something to the giver as well. Opening a present, and immediately discarding it and moving on to the next gift, does not speak well about its value to me. This is disappointing to the giver. God is not petty. He will not pout if we show no thanks for His gifts. But from a human and perhaps petty standpoint, I likely will remember a lack of appreciation if and when next gift-giving time rolls around. Many of the Psalms of David, clearly demonstrate David’s thanks and appreciation to God. David is known as a ‘man after God’s own heart’. I’d like to be known as a man like that. My wife is a good cook, a good nutritionist, sets a lovely table, makes mealtime very enjoyable. I try to remember to express my thanks to her. God has created a beautiful world, made it enjoyable and comfortable, given us five senses to enhance our enjoyment of His world. I think it behooves me to show appreciation and treat God’s creation with respect and enjoyment. We presume man-kind is the best of God’s earthly creation. I want to and need to treat my fellow-men with respect and appreciation for after all they each and all are created in the image of God and after His likeness. How I treat them shows how I appreciate God. By the way, November is designated as “Pray for persecuted Christians month”. There is much persecution, not only of Christians. Hopefully our prayer will be for ‘Peace on earth and good will for men’. Pray for it then act it out in your world.

Scriptures to Read

Psalm 92:1

Psalm 107:1

Ephesians 5:20

Philippians 4:6

Psalm 100:4

St. Mark 8:6

St. Matthew 26:26-27