Thanksgiving is not something that survives well with limitations. There’s more to it than a yearly repeat of the ceremony held in 1621 by the Pilgrims, and the Wampanoag; it was never meant to be confined to a single day. To thrive, the spirit of thanksgiving must be a part of us, and a discipline that continues throughout the year.
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Fred De Witt Van Amburgh wrote: “None is more impoverished than the one who has no gratitude. Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy.”
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There’s something good to be said about those times when we are clearly aware of the special treasures we’ve been given. Summing up the mercies, seeing what provision the Creator has made for our well-being, and what opportunities we are each given for usefulness, allows one a more satisfying capacity for being thankful. Without a heart of continual thanksgiving, our daily walk is lessened, joyless, and without true reward.
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I know from personal experience that there are times when a person’s fire goes out, and it needs to be rekindled by someone else. Thankfully thanksgiving is a two-in-one word of action - personal action - and how each of us uses the blessings and gifts we’re given is a true measure of what Thanksgiving really means.
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Ted Allen wrote: “The funny thing about Thanksgiving, is that you spend 12 hours shopping, chopping, cooking, braising, and blanching. Then it takes 20 minutes to eat and everyone sits around in a food-coma afterwards. Then it takes 4 hours to clean up.”
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For many in America, the feast and family is the festival in its fullness. But thanksgiving has many other essential facets. A few of those include: recognizing that the Most High is the giver of food and life, and that in the soil of humility a spirit of gratefulness thrives. Thanksgiving rejoices always in all circumstances. It shows unselfish concern for the welfare of others. It encourages others in ways that they cannot do for themselves. Real thanksgiving reminds us always that we are not in control. It gets our eyes off ourselves, and puts them on the Author and Sustainer of our lives. We’ve each been given 86,400 seconds a day. If you don’t already, try using some of them to encourage another, or to say thanks.

© Richard Lloyd Cederberg
11/2024