Really Thankful? Consider This:

We know we are supposed to be thankful. After all the Bible commands us to, “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” {Ephesians 5:20} and “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” {1 Thessalonians 5:18} Yet, are we really living out those commands? If someone looked into our lives, would they say we are thankful people? I am not sure they would. Even at Thanksgiving, I hear more about turkey, pie, and football than thankfulness.

I spent some time trying to think of someone who is really thankful like Ephesians and 1 Thessalonians talk about. It took awhile, which admittedly is discouraging, but finally I succeeded!

In Texas, I had a friend who had a string of trouble, repeatedly out of work, trying to take care of his family by mowing lawns, cleaning houses, and doing odd jobs for people. Imagining how many people would stress under his problems, I asked him how his wife was handling things. He was quiet for just a moment then he told me she was doing fine, in fact she really thought things were good. He said it was like she was living in heaven! As I looked at their crowded one bedroom duplex which they shared with two active children, he saw I had trouble believing him.

He said to me “Pastor Dan, we really have it pretty good and my wife knows we have it good. You see she is comparing life now to how she grew up. Yes, we are mowing lawns and cleaning houses. But, she grew up in a shack on the side of a mountain in Mexico with no running water, not even an outhouse. They ate rice and beans and maybe on a feast day a little meat. From her perspective, we live like kings.” I had to admit I never saw her discouraged or ungrateful in a situation far worse than most of us complained about. Rather she gave thanks to the Lord all the time.

What made her so different from so many of us? One thing was that she realized how much she had to be grateful for. She did not take a house with running water, one bathroom, and electricity for granted. Those things were not something owed to her but a provision from a loving God. Likewise, food to use in preparing meals for her family is not something to take for granted but a matter of praise. Like many in America, I too often take those things and much else for granted, so I forget to be thankful for them.

God has given us so much. He has given us Salvation by grace through faith and incredible blessings in the spiritual realm. Prayer is just one example. He also provides so much for us in the physical realm. We of all people have no right to be unthankful or to have an ungrateful spirit!

We should be more like my friend’s wife and be truly grateful. Then these verses will be lived out reality not just a nice sentiment: “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” {Ephesians 5:20” and “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” {1 Thessalonians 5:18}

This Thanksgiving I intend to enjoy good food and family time. I also intend to be much more thankful for the wonderful ways God takes care of me. I hope you can be more thankful too.

Written by Rev. Daniel B. Baker November 2003



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