Giving Thanks

Often times when my brain is juggling many tasks at one time (which is just about all the time), I will say words backwards~ however, this time I intentionally mean ‘giving thanks’ instead of Thanks giving.

The fourth Thursday in November is one of my very favorite days of the year. Not just because every so many years it is my daughter Courtney’s birthday as it was last year. Or that my youngest nephew, Preston was born on Thanksgiving Day in 2000. Or even that it is my niece Ashley’s birthday this year …though each of these special occasions would be reasons for giving thanks.

I just think it is praiseworthy that our country, the United States of America, has set a specific day aside where it is a day to be thankful--the fourth Thursday of November. Not only in our country do we have much to be thankful but in our personal lives we have reasons to give thanks, as well. Yes, even in these stressful economic times. Yes, even with our loved ones being deployed to war zones. And, again, yes, even amidst sorrows and grief, broken hearts, failing health and unfilled expectations.

I am reminded of a story about a person that complained to God that the cross he had to bear was well, more than he could bear. So God told him to put down his cross and go into a room filled with crosses and select the cross that would suit his spiritual, emotional, physical weight limit. The room was filled with crosses of all sizes and weights. He tried to pick up some and couldn’t. He attempted to carry others but wouldn’t as the crosses were weighed down with much sorrow and grief. Finally, he eyed a small cross leaning against a corner in the room. He picked it up and it was light as a feather compared to all the other crosses. He smiled content with his selection. God smiled also. Unbeknownst to the man he selected the very cross that he tried to trade.

So on this day-set aside-to give thanks…let’s do just that---give thanks. Let’s rise above our circumstances and be thankful. The first settlers in America had the first Thanksgiving back in 1621, sharing a bountiful feast with the Native Americans. The pilgrims had endured (and continued to endure for years) much hardship, and illnesses and death of loved ones, yet, despite the circumstances and their current situations, they chose to give thanks to God, the maker of the heavens and the earth.

How can we do anything less--'despite of', 'in spite of' or 'because of 'our current circumstances?

Each Thanksgiving as we gather around the table to enjoy our own
Pilgrim-esque feast my family takes turns to express thanks to God. Sometimes, for some of us there is much to be thankful and yet for others of us not as much, however, we are always thankful to God for each other and the love, laughter and memories we share as a family.

Wendy’s Witz-dom: ~give Thanks on the day of Thanks giving~

God’s Wisdom: ‘…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Ephesians 5: 20)

© WitzEnd Writings