An Exuse for...Giving Thanks

As Thanksgiving approaches, I think about a comment that I have heard many times. "Thanksgiving is just an excuse to eat until your stomach aches." Unfortunately for some, this is all to true. Also, there are football games being played on Thanksgiving, annoying  family members coming to visit that you only see once or twice a year, and catching up with them can be time consuming. And, of course, there are the "black Friday" sales that so many can't wait to go to. This year stores are starting black Friday earlier than ever. Some are opening late Thanksgiving evening.

These things take away from the real reason we honor those who braved the long voyage across the Atlantic ocean to come to a foreign land. Every man and woman aboard the Mayflower was willing to risk it all so they could live and worship the way God meant for them to. Some lost their lives trying to live independently of England, but the pilgrims knew that whatever hardship they may face, it was worth it to live in a land of freedom.

Thanksgiving seems to get short changed more every year. I believe this is displeasing to our Savior. In 2 Corinthians 4:15, Paul writes, "For all these things are taking place for your sake, so that the more grace divine favor and spiritual blessing extends to more and more people and multiplies through the many, the more thanksgiving may increase and rebound to the glory of God." And in Ephesians 5:20 he writes, "At all times and for everything giving thanks in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.".

This Thanksgiving I wonder how many will remember it's not because of the food, football, or store sales that we celebrate the holiday, but because our ancestors wanted to live in a land where they could draw closer to God.

Please remember to give thanks for all you have, even those family members that seem to get on your nerves after only a couple of hours. after all you only see them once or twice a year.