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It's More Than Turkey

The week began with plumbing problems. Granted, they were plumbing problems that I created, but nevertheless, I had problems.

The schedule continued to be thwarted by a sick spouse and a son in physical therapy to make his arm work right again. Although I have wondered what the point is in that, since he's probably going to hit his sisters with that arm? This is to say nothing at all of a normal week’s to-do list that needed to be done.

And on top of all that, I had a sermon on thankfulness to prepare.

(Sigh.) I suppose I should practice it before I preach it and this was as good a week as any to practice.

What is it about us that makes thankfulness one of the last things we get to? Even as Christians, we sing about the amazing wonderful grace that we can't possibly earn and yet, we also get stuck in issues of entitlement.

What is it about us that makes thankfulness one of the most difficult things we do? Even as Christians, we find ourselves complaining about first world problems and mostly temporary issues.

What is it about us that makes thankfulness something we approach with a ‘whatever’ (dismissive) attitude instead of a ‘whatever’ (willing) attitude?

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

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Of course, as Christians, our thankfulness should not be limited to a holiday when we stuff ourselves silly. We can try to motivate ourselves with pithy sayings and pursue the 'attitude of gratitude'. But a thankful heart is born out of contentment.

I continue to find it ironic that Thanksgiving, a time when we express our thankfulness for all we have, is followed by Christmas, a season where we list all the things we don't have that will make us happy.

Who knows? Maybe this year will be different. If it is, it will be because you and I make it different. 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
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