Today, most Americans will be celebrating the harvest; a popular celebration called Thanksgiving.
It seems I have been celebrating my harvest way before this time of the year, and I bet you have too. 
Although this year has been exceptionally challenging, I often find myself saying without reservation; “Thank You Lord Jesus”. And it’s not a one time per year or day kinda prayer, it’s countless moments throughout the year, month, week, day, and hour.
How can I not thank the Lord? Better yet, how can you not thank the Lord? Surely there is much to be thankful for isn’t there? OK – Please don’t have me naming a few; we’d be here all day.
Sure you have bills piled on the table, a report of a diseased body, an aching joint or two, broken dreams, painful memories, a worn out car, a job that pays a nickel on the dime, and the list goes on. And just when you think it couldn’t be worst, what do you know? The car broke down, you lost your job, your kids are causing you much stress, and your spouse seems to be the bane of your existence. I have probably struck a nerve or have not yet begin to describe what you are going trough.
But if you are part taking of this nugget, you still have much to be thankful for.
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed”.
I’ve learned and still learning to thank God in the good and more so in the bad times. I’ve seen how thankfulness and praise, especially in challenging times, confuse the enemy.
Somehow, today, the day labeled as a day of thanksgiving, I started to question why so many people waited until today to recognize and appreciate God’s goodness. No, I’m not trying to rain on your parade. Far from it! But while many praises and thanks will be lauded over stuffed turkey and cranberry sauce, I’m wondering how many has, before this day, voiced thanksgiving for the job, neighbor, children, shelter, even the stress and distress which taught you patience and determination, to name a common few. Could it be that modern day hustle and bustle have caused us to see less to be thankful for?
Our thanks may have gone mentioned, unheard, and unseen because many suffer from Leperitis (Yep, I surely made up that term😄). But it’s meaning derived from my recollection of the ten lepers who were cleansed from their leprosy, but only one went back to thank the healer. I wondered why those nine didn’t return to say thanks. Did they expect the healing? I reread the story, I found that they were instructed by Jesus to show themselves to the priest; so one may argue that it was Jesus who told them not to return. But I can’t help but wonder, couldn’t they have personally shown gratitude to the healer more than they did the healing?
That’s why I think some of us suffer from lepertitist. Even though our common physical needs are met daily, we neglect to give thanks to the one who has met those needs. We accepted His Grace as normalcy. Some think their met needs were as a result of their own toil and labor; their own effort, talents, and abilities. We simply take things for granted; health, food, clothes, friends, family, and the very breath in our bodies. We simple feel entitled as though it’s our right.
One of favorite author puts it beautifully. She said, “The lesson which is recorded concerning the ten lepers should awaken in every heart a most earnest desire to change the existing order of ingratitude into one of praise and thanksgiving. Let the professed people of God stop murmuring and complaining. Let us remember who is the first great Giver of all our blessings. We are fed and clothed and sustained in life, and should we not educate ourselves and our children to respond with gratitude to our heavenly Father?”
Do not take the goodness of God for granted. Never become too accustomed to God’s goodness that you take it for granted.
There are way too many reasons to be in awe of God’s loving kindness, never ending mercies and grace, and compassion over our lives.
Yes, I’m hard pressed on every side, but I’m not crushed.
Let’s stand boldly with David in declaring,
“ I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me”. Psalm 13:6.
Won’t you sing with me?
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
To him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.
Who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever.
Who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.
Who made the great lights— His love endures forever.
The sun to govern the day, His love endures forever.
The moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.
Thanksgiving is every minute of each day
We truly have so much to be thankful for
“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good”
Blessed is the man who trust in Him shalom .
God In Shoes Inc
Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!
Thanks for this beautifully captures the spirit of gratitude that transcends a single day of celebration. Thanksgiving is indeed a special time for some to reflect on their blessings, but as you’ve pointed out, gratitude can and should be a continuous practice throughout the year. It’s wonderful to hear how you find moments to express thanks regularly, even amidst challenges.
I agree that there is always something to be thankful for, whether it’s the support of loved ones, personal growth, or simply the beauty of everyday life. Your perspective is inspiring and serves as a reminder to appreciate the small and big things alike. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and encouraging others to embrace gratitude in their daily lives.
Thanks for this beautifully captures the spirit of gratitude that transcends a single day of celebration. Thanksgiving is indeed a special time for some to reflect on their blessings, but as you’ve pointed out, gratitude can and should be a continuous practice throughout the year. It’s wonderful to hear how you find moments to express thanks regularly, even amidst challenges.
I agree that there is always something to be thankful for, whether it’s the support of loved ones, personal growth, or simply the beauty of everyday life. Your perspective is inspiring and serves as a reminder to appreciate the small and big things alike. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and encouraging others to embrace gratitude in their daily lives.