Skip to main content

Thanks, But No Thanks?

It’s November. And November is synonymous with inducing a coma caused by the tryptophan in turkey (the food, not the country). Or, as we in America call it, Thanksgiving. Ahh, that beautiful holiday when we gather together with family, eat too much, sleep through a Detroit Lions game and then go home. You know about the ride home, right? That is when you share with your spouse how her family bothers you.

I have to confess I feel a tad guilty being snarky about Thanksgiving. After all, it is a legit American holiday. Thankfulness is something that is encouraged in the Bible. It’s even the topic of our theme at our church this month (and 90% of other churches as well). Shouldn’t I just write out my list of things I’m thankful for and then move on to writing some devotional for next month’s church newsletter, something along the lines of a great gift of shoes I once gave my mom? Everybody knows that when you're writing about Christmas, you have to include lyrics to at least one inspirational Christmas song.

I wish I could. But alas, I cannot. The truth (and my senior pastor) compels me to write this article.

I think the problem I have is that November comes along and we’re all expected to turn on our holiday spirit. First, we become nostalgic and thankful; then, we buy stuff for everyone we are thankful for. But if embodying thankfulness is something we should be doing, then I believe it is something we should be doing all the time. Perhaps the reason we struggle and merely tolerate family at Thanksgiving is because we do not really live out thankfulness the other 364 days of the year.

In writing his young apprentice, Timothy, the Apostle Paul had some good advice on this subject. He’s warning Timmy about ‘hypocritical liars’ who teach against getting married and eating certain foods. (That’s 2 strikes for the pro-Thanksgiving crowd.) But Paul says this; “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:4-5). Just one verse earlier he said this thankfulness was to be given by “those who believe and who know the truth” (1 Timothy 4:3).

So, do you believe? Then be thankful. But be careful about offering thanks for not being related to everyone at the Thanksgiving meal. I tried that once and it made for a very long car ride home.
Labels:

Comments

Paul Stackhouse said…
Well said, Rick. I had a conversation this morning with a lady I've known only about a year. We were talking about complaining -- somewhat the opposite of giving thanks. We agreed between us that we'd strive to offer at least one genuine compliment for every complaint we expressed. Not necessarily to the same person; but within a reasonable amount of time. Twice today I've had to find something to praise my kids about because I caught myself complaining. What I've learned is to be a bit less critical; and by extension, a bit more thankful. Thanks for the good word.
November 18, 2010 at 7:57 PM
Rick Nier said…
Thank you Paul. That sounds like a good plan you have there.
November 19, 2010 at 9:52 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Studies on the Go...Genesis

To be honest, I had not heard of Studies On The Go before being offered a review copy by my god friends at Youth Worker. But since I’m always looking out for study ideas, I said yes to this opportunity. Studies On The Go by Laurie Polich-Short has 30 studies. This particular edition is on the book of Genesis. Any book of the Bible can be daunting when you’re trying to interest and impact teenagers. But Genesis increases that difficulty due to the many questions that arise on the topic of creation. On top of that, you have the many stories of questionable characters that we often call heroes of the faith. Each study comes with great questions, not mindless Sunday School questions where every answer is Jesus. They also come with an optional activity to take the lesson a step further and create true impact. Add to that a weekly plan for students to go deeper and you have a winner of a study in one little book. If all the book studies are as well done as this one, I’d ...
Post a Comment
Read more

What Are You Capable Of?

I fancy myself to be just like Batman...without the money, the cave, the vendetta, the car and the cool belt. Other than that, we're pretty much the same guy. Does it help my case that I have a boy wonder? It's my son, but I'd take him over a dude in green tights any day. I've also imagined myself to be similar to Superman...you know, but without the super strength, speed, or that thing he can do with his eyes. Oh, and I'm also not from another planet. But he was a reporter and I like to write, though that hasn't been proven much by my blog. At least, not compared to what I used to write. The first time I write this post, it sounded like an apology. But that's not really the message I want to convey. Yes, I wish I were posting more. I also wish I had super strength or a cool utility belt, but those things aren't happening right now either. Maybe some day . The truth is I have been keeping busy. I'm not sitting back, sipping lemonade. I've never c...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Facebook Maybe

Granted, I'm a pastor. I have Type-A tendencies. Ok, my tendencies border on freakish OCD behavior patterns, but... Few things bother me more than the Facebook 'maybe'. I suppose I could go on and on about the grey areas of our society and the refusal of people to accept absolute standards. I could discuss the great need of people to accept that what is wrong for one person is likely wrong for everyone. I should certainly be concerned about mentioning that someone might have sin in their life. But I don't believe the Facebook 'maybe' is quite sin. Perhaps if I were coming up with new sins, I would add this to the list. But alas... Some might think the Facebook 'maybe' did not exist prior to the Internet, but they would be wrong. When I was in high school and asked a girl out on a date, I would normally be told that if they had no other plans, if nobody else called them, if there was nothing good on television and their hair did not need washing, then per...
5 comments
Read more