With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us soon, we so often turn our thoughts toward all we have to be thankful for; especially during the month of November.
That is admirable but isn’t it even better if
each day,
each moment of each day,
we keep forefront in our minds all we have to be thankful for?
This sign I passed on my way to work caught my eye and made me think a little deeper. Yes, how cool are these words?
How perfect that the word “Thanksgiving” can be viewed as two smaller words “Thanks and Giving” that I believe are really the crux of Christian living. Yes, how perfect!
Quite interestingly, as I was going to start penning these thoughts, I ran down to Dunkin (yes, a weakness of mine for their flavored coffee) to grab a coffee. It was quite busy but I decided to go through the drive thru line which took a bit with the number of cars. As I pulled up to the window with my coupon and gift card ready, the cashier says, “Happy Holidays” from the car in front of me who had paid for my order.
That always catches me by surprise and, once again, I didn’t think quick enough to keep the kindness going right then. It was neat that both the person in front of me and I ended up side by side at a red light, so I was able to “thank” her as she glanced over at me.
When I was at a grocery store later in the day, with my thoughts still thinking of the kindness from that coffee, I was felt inclined to do a “pay it forward” with an elderly gentleman behind me. He was confused at what happened. I went about my business walking out of the store, letting the cashier explain it again to him, but ended up waiting for him outside because I thought I had one of his items which was indeed the case.
He was still in shock and said no one had ever done that for him before. We exchanged a hug and Happy Holiday wishes and an extra Happy Thanksgiving wish from him. The ripple effect of one little action in life always amazes and blesses me. My thoughts would not have necessarily been on blessing that man if the lady didn’t extend that kindness in buying my coffee.
Cambridge Dictionary’s online definition of the word Thanksgiving, after mentioning the Thanksgiving Holiday is:
the act of saying or showing that you are grateful, especially to God
I was surprised to actually see the “especially to God” reference in that definition as well as with a few other dictionary sites.
Let’s read a few Bible verses that mention “thanksgiving” to see the implications of the word in our daily living. See if you notice anything in relation to the words “thanks” and “giving.”
I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. –Psalm 69:30 (NIV)
All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. –2 Corinthians 4:15 (NLT)
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and sing joyful songs of praise. For the LORD is a mighty God, a mighty king over all the gods . –Psalm 95:2-3 (GNT)
Enter the Temple gates with thanksgiving; go into its courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise him. –Psalm 100:4 (GNT)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. –1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)
What do these verses mention relating to thanksgiving? What else is involved? Do you notice a pattern here?
–“Giving” praise to God’s name in song, joyful songs
–“Giving” God more and more glory
–“Giving”, in every situation, by prayers and petitions, with thanksgiving
–“Giving” thanks in ALL circumstances
Did you read that last Bible verse carefully?
The one that mentions what God’s will is for you?
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. –1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)
That sure gives me inspiration to live that thanksgiving out more fully every moment!
There is one more powerful Scripture that shows how even Jesus modeled that Cambridge Dictionary definition of Thanksgiving…
the act of saying or showing that you are grateful, especially to God
On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave THANKS to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” –1 Corinthians 11:23-24 (NLT)
What a powerful Scripture that is!
Jesus gave thanks to God even though He was going to soon suffer immense pain. He gave us the perfect example of thanksgiving……that “thanks” and “giving!”
Think about it: Jesus, when celebrating the Last Supper with His disciples, first gave THANKS to God for the bread; then “GIVING” Himself, His body to you and me, instructing us to do this same thing in remembrance of Him!
It truly is an honor to celebrate the “Eucharist”, which in the Greek means “thanksgiving!” To thank Jesus for giving Himself, dying for me and you, so we may spend eternity with Him and God forever!
Let us be continually giving thanks to God and giving to others….whether a sincere smile, a compliment on someone’s character, letting the church musician know their song choices were so perfect for the service, surprising a stranger with a free coffee, sending a “thinking of you” note to someone, giving encouragement to your Pastor or Deacon for their words that touched your soul, giving to someone who can’t quite make ends meet.
And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. –Ephesians 5:20 (NLT)
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. –Psalm 9:1 (ESV)
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. –Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
***An update from my thoughts last week on Faith In Action as I know many of you have been praying for my friend’s daughter. I received this text from my friend: “No tumor was found in her scan so she needs to have a spinal. We know it was God and we are praying that whatever is going on can be healed completely, or at least diagnosed so it can be treated and she can get some relief.” Praising and THANKING the Lord for the news so far and all the prayers; GIVING continued love and prayers for them are greatly appreciated! Many thanks!
In trying to seek humility, I discovered through giving thanks to God and being grateful for all God’s blessings, i.e., prayer, nature, and wild animals who visit my front yard (eating all the bird seed), and so many caring friends and family in my life… Each moment of the day you can find something to be grateful for. I love the Philippians ‘statement’. I just printed that section out and posted on my refrigerator…as a reminder…
What a great parallel and great truth in your sharing, Carm! You are so right, that every moment of the day there is something to be grateful for! Indeed God’s blessings are found all around us if we keep our eyes, and the eyes of our heart open to them. Thank you so much for sharing; I am grateful that you were inspired. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving…You are in my prayers!
I love this Christine! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday simply because all it asks of us is to be kind to others, and grateful for all that we have. It unfortunately gets overshadowed by that December holiday. If people extended kindness to others all the year through, what a much better place this world would be.
Thanks so much for reading and sharing, Jen! Yes, you are so right that this world would be an even better place if we took more time to extend kindness; one person, one minute at a time. Be blessed, my friend~
I received this note regarding this post from a friend of mine via a different social media type:
This story I normally do not tell. I was in Santo Domingo at a friends house. A little boy came to the gate asking if any chores needed to be done. He lived in a big box in an alley with his mother. While raking leaves he asked my friend if her husband had any shoes to throw away. He was barefoot. My friend said no. The little boy was crestfallen. I asked him what size he wore. He said 8 1/2.He wore my size. I had on a pair of new leather Nikes and another pair of shoes in my suitcase. The little boy and I cried as he washed his feet so he could put on a clean pair of socks and his new shoes. I cried in thanksgiving for the privilege of being a part of the little boys life.
Wow!! I am so honored that you shared that wonderful story of “thanks” and “giving!” What a true blessing that you wore the “right” size of shoe as that boy and were so willing to provide what he needed; I bet he still remembers that special act to this day! Blessings to you, my friend~~Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful to know and call you friend! 😇