THANKSGIVING

Musick-al Note # 245       

          Our Pilgrim fathers set aside a day for special thanksgiving for God’s goodness in preserving their lives and providing for them in their new home in this new land.  Later the last Thursday in November was designated by the government as the special day of “Thanksgiving” this making this a national holiday.  This day will be spent by most people in fulfilling their own pleasures by visiting family members, watching football games, drinking and in parties.  Few people, very few, will do more than offer a formalistic word of thanks for the bounty of food prepared for their consumption.  Fewer still will thank God for all the wonderful blessings that they enjoy.

          Christian people ought to be a thankful people at all times and we ought to use this season to be especially thankful for all God’s gifts to us.  God has given us His own Son, life in His name, the forgiving message and forgiveness if we will obey Him, glorious blessings in the church and hope that will not be ashamed in the last day for He will keep all His promises.  Will we be like the   nine lepers who were cleansed or like the one who returned to give thanks? (Luke 17:12-19).  Will our children know us to be thankful for these many blessings or will they only know us for our using everything just for our own selfish pleasures without thought for the giver?  We can be happy people and at the same time be thankful to the Lord God for His goodness to us.  Our children learn from our actions and daily living just what we think concerning God and His blessings.  No amount of words on one day can erase from their minds our thankless existence through-out the year.  What we say and do must show that we indeed turn our minds and thoughts to the living God and acknowledge His gives to us.  Thanksgiving Day – a happy occasion and another glorious opportunity for expressing our thanks to the Living God as His dear children.

              Gordon Musick