“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with Thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.” – Psalm 100: 1-5
Thanksgiving.
It is more than a holiday, more than turkey and stuffing. More than family and friends gathering, more than a football game.
It is not related to circumstances or dependent on other people.
It is not outside my sphere of control.
It is a choice.
It is a practice, a discipline, a way of life.
It shifts my perspective off myself and helps me see things around me.
It is an invitation to God, a request for Him to take over my heart.
Thanksgiving should begin quietly in my heart, and result in joyous celebration. Counting my blessings should be the starting point, but the exercise is pointless unless I truly reflect on and marvel in the undeserved blessings I have. How appropriate that Thanksgiving precedes Christmas – what greater gift is there for us as Christians to celebrate, and what more wonderful blessing is ours to unwrap!
My Heavenly Father delights in me and loves giving me good things. How it must hurt Him when I fail to acknowledge and appreciate the gifts He gives me! Not acknowledging my blessings from God leads to a selfish perspective, followed quickly by selfish actions that hurt myself, my relationships with the people around me, and my relationship with God. Cultivating a heart of thankfulness will pull my heart closer to my Heavenly Father’s heart as I recognize His loving care for me. Pausing to name specific details will help me to remember times past when He provided abundantly. Pausing to name specific details and dissecting the wonder of my blessings is the doorway into a more abundant relationship with Jesus.
Proclaiming His Goodness 