Give Thanks

I love the holiday season. So many memories come to mind when I think of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Memories that involve laughter, hugs, family, card games, food, running and friends. Memories that remind me of how much I have been given and of all the things for which I am thankful. I think that’s one of the things I love most about Thanksgiving- the fact that we take a break from our busy lives to sit back and think about all that God has given us and what we have done with it. 

Today I started thinking about what all I have to be thankful for. As I dug deeper and deeper, my list kept growing. I felt ashamed that I go every other day of the year without giving a second thought to most of the items on my list. I take it all for granted and do not give God the glory and praise, thanking Him for all He has given me. When I think about the things I have read in the Bible about thanksgiving, I realize that I do not thank God like I should. How convicting! As a Christian, I should always be singing His praises, thanking Him in all that I do, not for my own glory but so that the Father’s glory may be revealed. I should be aware of how helpless I am on my own and of how much He has given me so that I may be used by Him.

So yes, I AM thankful for having a roof over my head, the ability to run, having a job I love, for my cute puppy and having food on the table every night. But, I am also thankful for being given the chance to wake up every morning so that I may glorify God. I am thankful for my church family who encourages me to grow and mature in my faith. I am thankful for my husband who pushes me to step out of my comfort zone so that I may be used better by God. I am thankful for my family who taught me from birth about the unconditional love of my Lord and how to be a godly woman. I am thankful for having access to a Bible so that I may read the word of God whenever I want. And I am thankful for being chosen by God, even though I am a sinner deserving of death, so that I may be used to further His kingdom.

It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak,  because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.  All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:13-15

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm 7:17

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

May God be lifted high this Thanksgiving. May His praises ring throughout the nation. And may He be glorified by His people.