Sometimes, I forget that Thanksgiving is for giving thanks. I mean, it seems so simple. The instructions are in the name. Thanks-Giving, the giving of thanks. Yet, I breeze right passed it and miss the whole point. However, if I practice an attitude of gratitude, it becomes easier to remember to give thanks.
Last week, I wrote a blog on 3 Steps to Be More Thankful. Realizing gratitude is an attitude that must be cultivated, I am still learning how to be thankful in the ordinary moments of life. Making this a habit is only the first step. Because the magic happens in the giving of thanks.
As I read my Jesus Calling devotion on November 24th, it said and I am paraphrasing, “When we learn to thank God regardless of our feelings, God gives us joy regardless of our circumstances. This is a spiritual act of obedience.”
I would like for you to re-read that sentence, letting its meaning soak into your soul. “When we learn to thank God regardless of our feelings, God gives us joy regardless of our circumstances.”
Psalm 89:15 says, “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.”
Blessed means ‘happy’ and acclaim means ‘praise.’ Therefore, happy are those that have learned to praise the Lord. It is in our learning to be thankful in spite of our situation that leads to our happiness, our blessedness. God transforms us from the inside out when we practice an attitude of gratitude. This is God’s will for our lives; to be happy.
Happy are those that have learned to praise the Lord.
Psalm 100:4-5 reads, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Psalm 9:1 declares, “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
Psalm 7:17, “I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.”
Remembering Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks, first, we give thanks to God for all the great things God has done in our lives. Then, we continue that thankfulness by expressing our gratitude to others. This creates an atmosphere for love and joy to abound.
This is an unusual year, one we may like to forget. However, it is in the hard times, that God teaches us the most.
Be thankful in all things.
As we prepare for Thanksgiving this year, it may look and feel a little different. Let me encourage you to think of it as a time of giving thanks. Learn to be thankful. Think about who you can reach out to by text, phone, email, snail mail, FaceTime or Zoom for the sole purpose of thanking them. Practice giving thanks to God and others as your spiritual act of obedience. Intentionally infuse each moment with gratitude and discover the happiness of life God intended for you.
You know, it is in giving that we receive. It is in the thanks that we become grateful. When we fill ordinary moments with thankfulness, they become extraordinary memories. Let us continue to learn how to praise God, giving thanks for all things and sharing that thanks with one another.
Our Thanksgiving Prayer;
God of the Great Thanksgiving, we praise you for all You are. Forgive us for our ungrateful attitudes. Teach us how to be thankful in all things, at all times, giving you all the praise and all the glory. Show us that Thanksgiving is for giving thanks. It’s in the giving, we discover our true joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen. -M
One thought on “Reminder: Thanksgiving is for giving thanks.”
With grateful hearts, we give praise to the Lord, Almighty. Love you