Thanks

"But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me." (Psalm 50:23)

That's a peculiar way to think of thanksgiving . . . a sacrifice.  A sacrifice is generally something that we give up--a treasure that we give away.  Perhaps giving thanks is a sacrifice of heart.  Instead of getting irritated with those who don't meet my expectations, I will give thanks to the God who created them.  Instead of fearing the future, I will thank God for it.  Instead of swimming in shame and regret, I will give thanks to the God of forgiveness and restoration.  What if I choose to begin every sentence today with, "Thank you God . . ."

“I pray for you, that all your misgivings will be melted to thanksgivings. Remember that the shadow a thing casts often far exceeds the size of the thing itself (especially if the light be low on the horizon) and though some future fear may strut brave darkness as you approach, the thing itself will be but a speck when seen from beyond. Oh that He would restore us often with that 'aspect from beyond,' to see a thing as He sees it, to remember that He dealeth with us as with sons.”   --Jim Elliot

Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

Thanksgiving Proclamation

[New York, 3 October 1789]

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

Giving Thanks for "not enough"...

I often reserve my times of thanksgiving for those times when God has come through for me in a big way. Like everyone else, I am thankful when the Father rescues me from my unpleasant circumstances. Jesus gave thanks a little bit differently. Notice Matthew 15:36, "Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, broke them into pieces, and gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd." Did you see it? Jesus had 5000+ people sitting on the lawn waiting for lunch. His lunch consisted of seven loaves of bread and two fish--hardly enough for 5000! Get this: He "thanked God for them". He was thankful for not enough. He was grateful in has lack. Then he took the "not enough" and acted as if it was enough. He distributed the food through his disciples. So the next time, I don't have enough, may I express my thanks to God for my "not enough" and then act as if it was enough. That's what Jesus did...