A TIME TO SHARE LOVE

I remember as a child, gathering at the table on Thanksgiving day, feasting on the food Mother had cooked and hearing Daddy lead a prayer thanking God for His blessings. But try as I might, I don’t remember what food we had at those meals. What I do remember is being together with my parents and my brother and sisters. We were a family—and we loved each other.

Today, Marion and I look forward to the times we can be with our children and grandchildren for Thanksgiving or Christmas. The food is always good; but best of all is the love we share as a family. It’s good being together.

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. I John 3:11 (KJV)

CRYING STONES

Sometimes we just have to praise the Lord! That is how Jesus’ disciples felt the day He rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. As He approached the city, his followers began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice. They shouted, “blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Luke 10:38 (KJV)

Of course there were those who wanted everyone to be silent. They said, “Master, rebuke thy disciples.” Jesus’ answer is classic: “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 10:40 (KJV)

We always have something to be thankful for. As the song says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” Don’t wait for the stones to cry out. Praise Him yourself.

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LIVING WITHOUT THANKFULNESS

The idea of being thankful makes me think of Bob, who was never thankful. Bob (not his real name) was a member of a choir I directed, and I always dreaded choir practice because of him. Introducing a new song to the choir was a challenge. As soon as we had sung through any song the first time Bob would yell, “I don’t like it!”

Bob’s whole life was negative. He was unhappy and miserable. People avoided him, so he had few friends. How much better if he could have shown gratitude and thankfulness to those around him. His life and the lives of his family and friends would have been much happier.

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-8 (KJV)

THANKFULNESS

This week all thoughts are on thanksgiving—not so much the giving of thanks as the holiday called Thanksgiving. Schools are out for the week to the delight of students and teachers, and many families are taking advantage of days off for a fall vacation.

Families are making plans to get together for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. A newer tradition will place millions in front of television sets to root for a favorite football team.

In all our observations of traditions, let’s not forget the oldest Thanksgiving tradition of all. Let’s not forget to thank God for his many blessings.

O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. I Chronicles 16:34. (KJV)